International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA) Executive Director David Cary addresses delegates during the 2015 Annual Biocontrols Industry Meeting (ABIM) in Basel Switzerland, Oct. 19-21.

ABIM is a joint meeting between IBMA and the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture. Board Member Lucius Tamm said biocontrols are increasing popularity because of demand for low-residues and organic foods, heightened focus on environmental protection, desire to preserve biodiversity, a revival of academia’s interest in biocontrols, and interest from the investment community and traditional plant protection companies.

Rio D. Praaning Prawira Adiningrat, secretary general of PA International, told attendees that unless regulators move quickly to amend the registration process for biocontrols in Europe, farmers will not have the tools they need to control pest pressures.

Attendees enjoy cocktail hour in the exhibition space.

Attendees enjoy cocktail hour in the exhibition space.

Attendees enjoy cocktail hour in the exhibition space.

Attendees enjoy cocktail hour in the exhibition space.

Attendees enjoy cocktail hour in the exhibition space.

Attendees enjoy cocktail hour in the exhibition space.

Bayer Vice President of Global Marketing Ashish Malik told attendees that biocontrols could represent a new green revolution by understanding how biological products interact with plants. "There is an opportunity for us to change the way agriculture works around the world," he said. "But integrated solutions and programs require knowing the needs of the farmer at the local level."

Claudio Mereu of law firm Fieldfisher discussed legal recourse for failed product approvals and legal solutions to other challenges involving registrations.

Hong Chen of registration consultancy TSG delivered an overview of China’s biological product registrations. About 80% of the 105 products registered as biocontrols in China are microbials.

Wolfgang Reinert, head of the European Commission’s Directorate for Health and Food Safety, said the body is in the process of considering revisions to its 1107/2009 regulation to allow for a more expeditious approval of biocontrol products.

Luc Peeters, relationship manager of grower cooperative BelOrta, called for biological manufacturers to partner more collaboratively with extension services and growers around the world to generate more pragmatic R&D studies that correlate to real-field situations.