Calls for Industry support abound, following unanimous agreement among a panel of experts from Industry, academia, policy makers and not-for-profit organisations that now is the perfect time to launch a campaign for regulatory reform in the UK, with a high likelihood of success predicted.
The Biopesticide Summit, which took place via a virtual platform on Tuesday 6th July 2021, was well attended with more than 200 people linking up to view live throughout the 3-hour event.
The Summit focussed on regulatory challenges and called for reform to create a regulatory environment that nurtures and supports the BioProtection (formerly known as Biopesticide) industry. This is a worldwide issue, but the UK environment is particularly open to change right now, thanks to the post-Brexit situation.
Adrian Dixon, from the UK’s Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Chemicals Regulation Division, began with an encouraging opening presentation that made it clear that the UK is open to discussions with Industry about developing appropriate regulations and processes for new BioProtection products.
Building on this promising start, Jennifer Lewis, Executive Director of the IBMA, outlined her vision of a successful regulatory system.
David Cary, Former Executive Director at the IBMA, outlined the rationale for change in the EU.
Thorben Looije, Owner Director of Valto, shared his own experiences of trying to register a new BioProtection product in the EU, which took 9 years. Mr Looije’s presentation was a striking example of the problems that SMEs face when dealing with the current regulatory system, and the damage that the system can do to small BioProtection businesses.
The evidence supporting calls for regulatory reform was overwhelming. Streamlining the regulatory process for BioProtection products in the UK and the EU would enable the authorities’ own deadlines to be met and would allow the struggling SMEs that make up the BioProtection Industry to fill the growing gaps in the pest control market.
“Twenty first century problems need twenty first century solutions,” commented Professor Shashi Sharma, President of the World BioProtection Forum. “People are looking to the scientific community to come up with a solution to the damage caused by the excessive use of toxic chemical pesticides, and BioProtectants can provide that solution – we just need to get them to market.”
Tristan Jervis, Senior Public Affairs Consultant, explained how the World BioProtection Forum’s lobbying campaign will make use of the unique window of opportunity in post-Brexit Britain. The UK Government has just announced that a new unit is being set-up to shed certain EU regulations, and it has declared its support for sectors making for a greener environment (given the importance of the green agenda as a pillar in the UK’s industrial strategy). In this political climate, post-Brexit and post-COVID, the case for regulatory reform is likely to receive a sympathetic and fair hearing. Mr Jervis called on the industry to support the World BioProtection Forum’s campaign, both in terms of adding political weight to the campaign, and by helping to fund the campaign activities.
“Success depends on us all pulling together now, as an industry,” said Dr Minshad Ansari, Chairman of the World BioProtection Forum. “We now know that policy makers will listen but we need enough voices to make enough noise! If we have enough companies supporting the campaign, willing to put their logos and names behind us, then policy makers will definitely listen and we can finally make the regulatory changes we have been requesting for more than 20 years.”
No company working in the Bioprotection industry, and wanting to register their products in the UK, can afford not to be involved in this campaign.
Visit https://www.worldbioprotectionforum.com/regulatory-reform/ to register your support, and the World BioProtection Forum will be in touch soon.
The Advisory Committee of the World BioProtection Forum (WBF) has elected their new President and Vice President to lead the sector forward in the creation of global solutions to 21st century problems in food safety and environmental challenges.
Professor Shashi Sharma, a former Director to the Western Australian Government in Plant Biosecurity, and Professor and Chair in Biosecurity and Food Security at Murdoch University (Australia), and Professor Zhibing Zhang of the University of Birmingham, UK, have been elected President and Vice President, respectively, of the World BioProtection Forum (WBF). The elections took place during a meeting of the WBF Advisory Committee, held on Friday 2nd July 2021.
The WBF is a non-profit organisation that aims to encourage collaboration between the BioProtection (formerly know as Biopesticide) industry and academia in the Biocontrol sector. Its goal is to ensure the successful development and commercialisation of BioProtection products, and to help its members overcome challenges and leverage opportunities in a post-COVID, post-Brexit world.
Professor Shashi Sharma
President
Professor Zhibing Zhang FREngM
Vice President
Professor Sharma has more than 35 years of international cross-sector experience in the food and agriculture sector, having worked, collaborated, managed, coordinated, directed, participated, networked and/or led initiatives in over 30 countries across five continents.
Professor Zhibing, who has built an international reputation for developing original work on micromanipulation of single micro-/nanoparticles and encapsulation/bioencapsulation, brings to the table an academic perspective. He has undertaken research projects on product formulation engineering in collaboration with more than 40 national and international companies, leading to a wide range of industrial applications.
“The appointments of Professors Shashi Sharma and Zhibing Zhang reflect a key focus of the WBF in connecting industry and academia,” commented Dr Minshad Ansari, Chairman of the WBF. “If we can connect these two sectors effectively, then collaboration will lead to innovation and commercialisation, and we will move the whole BioProtection industry forward.”
The WBF is an international organisation with regional chapters. The India Chapter was launched, with much success at the end of 2019 and, as the world emerges from the COVID pandemic, plans are underway for more regional chapters in Latin America and other parts of the world. This structure of regional chapters will enable consistent approaches to world challenges, explained the WBF’s new President.
“There is a lock of global and vision in the BioProtection sector,” declared Professor Sharma. “For the past 25 years, we have been reactive, but a strategic approach must be taken if we are to find global solutions to the problems facing us today. We need new systems, new technologies and new approaches for providing 21st century solutions to 21st century problems. The WBF is in a good position to offer that leadership and to help the BioProtection industry finally realise its potential.”
Professor Zhibing Zhang FREng said: “Food safety and environmental protection are two long-term grand challenges we face on this planet, which require global collaborations between industry and academia. The founding of the World Bioprotection Forum is timely, as it can facilitate such collaborations to develop innovative products for bioprotection in the post-Covid world.”
Worth around $3.0 billion in 2018 and projected to reach $10.0 billion by 2025, the global BioProtection market was showing an annual growth rate of 15-18% before the COVID pandemic. Underlying this growth were numerous factors that have only recently started to be recognised and discussed, such as an urgent need to “fill the gaps” in the market due to removal of toxic chemical pesticides. Those pesticides were over-used in the 20th century due to primary concerns over food security. Now, our overriding concerns relate to food safety and environmental damage, so new solutions for a new century – such as BioProtectants – must be encouraged and utilised.
For more information about the WBF, benefits of membership, and how to join, visit https://www.worldbioprotectionforum.com
The free-to-attend ‘Emergency Summit for the Control of Leatherjackets using Integrated Pest Management’ takes place on Wednesday 14th July. Join us to learn effective management strategies for these increasingly prevalent turf pests.
Leatherjacket larvae are causing extensive damage to turf and this year these pests have reached an all-time high – thanks to a lack of effective chemical pesticides and the fact that they have thrived in quiet, unused areas during the COVID pandemic.
Since the banning of the chemical pesticide Chlorpyrifos in 2016, leatherjacket populations have significantly increased year by year. On top of this, 20-30% of this year’s population explosion has been attributed to COVID 19 restrictions, which affected regular turf maintenance practices. The damage they have caused has resulted in the closure of several golf courses across the UK, while hundreds of fairways and greens have been left unplayable. Unfortunately, it is probably not unreasonable to expect even more severe infestations in the future, in the absence of control methods.
There is no quick fix for these infestations, but there are effective management strategies that can help control this pest. To help the turf industry deal with the problem, the World Bioprotection Forum (WBF) - a not-for-profit organisation has organised an Emergency Summit on 14th July 2021. This virtual event, which is free to attend, will explain how to use cultural, physical, mechanical, chemical, and biological methods to control pests such as leatherjackets in the golf/sports turf and amenity sector.
The Emergency Summit speakers include:
- Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema Ltd
- Professor Ralf-Udo Ehlers, Founder of e-nema GmbH
- Glenn Kirby, Technical Manager at Syngenta
- Peter Corbett, Chemical Manager, Rigby Taylor Ltd
- Mark Tucker, Head Greenkeeper at Neath Golf Course
A new article published in AgroPages today by Dr Minshad Ansari, Chairman of the World Bioprotection Forum (WBF), argues that now is the time for reforming the regulatory process for new bioprotection products.
In order to obtain approval of an active substance at the EU level, an applicant must follow procedures that are not dissimilar to those for chemical pesticides (albeit slightly adapted for biological products rather than chemicals). This includes the preparation of a detailed dossier, based on extensive tests and stringent data requirements, and its subsequent review and evaluation by the relevant member state and the EFSA (now by the HSE in the UK).
The evaluation of a new product should take about 12–22 months but, in reality, it typically takes up to 5 years. At least one new biopesticide product is known to have taken 15 years to gain approval. Streamlining the regulatory process for these products in the UK and the EU would enable the authorities’ own deadlines of 12–22 months to be met and would allow the green biopesticide industry to fill the growing gaps in the pest control market.
Of course, we are not the first to highlight these issues. Anyone working in the biopesticide space will almost certainly have heard this all before. However, the UK Government has just announced that a new unit is being set-up to shed EU regulations. In this political climate, post-Brexit and post-COVID, the case for regulatory reform is likely to receive a highly sympathetic and fair hearing – particularly ones governing a sector that makes for a greener environment, given the importance of the green agenda as a pillar in the Government’s industrial strategy.
“We must capitalize on recent changes in global power to push for change. We will all benefit if we manage to create a regulatory environment that nurtures and supports the bioprotection industry,” declares Dr Ansari in his this insightful and intelligent article.
Read the full statement at http://news.agropages.com/News/NewsDetail---39170.htm and join us on 6th July at our virtual Summit, to hear more.
Three world-leading experts have joined the Advisory Committee of the World BioProtection Forum (WBF), to ensure the Forum offers the best possible advantages for its members.
In order to help its members, navigate the challenges and opportunities of the post-COVID, post-Brexit world, the WBF is proud to have three world-leading experts join its new Advisory Committee.
- Dr Willem Ravensberg is well known in the industry, with past posts including President of IBMA. With 30 years of experience in registration affairs, he is now Corporate Sr Regulatory and Governmental Affairs Manager at Koppert Biological Systems.
- Professor Zhibing Zhang, from the University of Birmingham (UK) has built an international reputation for developing original work on micromanipulation of single micro-/nanoparticles and encapsulation/bioencapsulation. How work has already been applied to bioprotection products to enhance shelf life.
- Dr KRK Reddy is a leading innovator with several patents to his name. He is the Founder of Sri Biotech Laboratories in India, and he also serves as President of BIPA (Bio-agri Input Producers Association).
These experts join the existing team of Advisors to help the WBF achieve its goal of encouraging collaborations between all stakeholders throughout the bioprotection industry to facilitate innovation and commercialisation. They will also help our sector to take advantage of the opportunities offered by recent changes in the balance of global power.
Of particular relevance right now is the political climate following Brexit. The UK Government now has the opportunity, freedom (and relative agility for change) to reform the regulatory environment for biopesticides. The WBF has undertaken the task of leading a dialogue with the UK government, to drive reform in matters most important to our members. The organisation is working to lead an initiative calling for meaningful reform to the regulatory process for biopesticides in the UK, and to developing an environment that supports and nurtures this sector. This could be a first step to encouraging more rapid reform across the EU.
“We have a unique opportunity to effect change to the UK regulatory system,” declared Dr Minshad Ansari, Chairman of the WBF. “We are inviting everyone with an interest in this area to contact us and add their names – and their weight – to the campaign. We are asking as many companies as possible to please join us in this effort and be part of the change you wish to see in the biopesticide sector.”
The WBF’s virtual conference on 6th July 2021 will focus on regulatory challenges, and the WBF’s initiative calling for regulatory reform in the UK (and beyond).
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 |
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| Dr KRK Reddy Founder, Sri Biotech Laboratories India |
Dr Willem Ravensberg Corporate Sr Regulatory and Governmental Affairs Manager, Koppert Biological Systems |
Professor Zhibing Zhang University of Birmingham, UK |
Contact:
| Dr Minshad Ansari Chairman of the WBF minshad.ansari@worldbioprotectionforum.com |
Dr Sarah Harding Director of Communications sarah.harding@worldbioprotectionforum.com |
Editor note:
About the World BioProtection Forum
The World BioProtection Forum (WBF) is a non-profit organisation for encouraging collaboration across the biocontrol industry and academia. The WBF was founded in 2019 by Dr Minshad Ansari – a scientist who became an entrepreneur – to encourage the successful development and commercialisation of novel biological control products for agricultural pests and diseases.
To join the WBF, or for more information, please visit www.worldbioprotectionforum.com
Join colleagues from the bioprotection industry, academia, and the public sector at this year’s virtual Biopesticide Summit on Tuesday 6th July 2021, when we will discuss progress of the WBF’s campaign to reform the regulatory environment for the bioprotection sector.
The Biopesticide Summit, taking place via a virtual platform on Tuesday 6th July this year, will focus on regulatory challenges and calls for reform to create a regulatory environment that nurtures and supports the bioprotection industry.
The COVID pandemic affected all areas of scientific research. Biopesticide developers have been impacted by restrictions on practical research and funding, which have only added to pre-existing obstacles of regulatory hurdles, commercial uptake, and formulation challenges. On the other hand, COVID apparently led to surging consumer demand for organic produce with no chemical residues and, in the wake of Brexit, the UK government has declared a commitment to support science and technology, and an intention to expand partnerships across the globe.
The World Bioprotection Form (WBF; which organises the annual Biopesticide Summit) already engages with top-class academics and researchers, linking them with the biocontrol industry to facilitate innovation and commercialisation. This year, it has also undertaken the task of leading a dialogue with the UK government, to drive reform and create a regulatory environment that nurtures and supports the bioprotection industry.
Join us on 6th July 2021 to hear our first-class speakers present and debate the need for regulatory reform, their visions for a successful regulatory system, and how the WBF has been working towards process reform in UK biopesticide regulation.
Dr Minshad Ansari, Chairman of the WBF, commented “This is a very exciting time for the UK, politically, and I believe that we have a unique window of opportunity – post Brexit and post COVID – to engage with Government and really make the changes that we, as an industry, have been requesting for decades.”
Be part of the change you wish to see in the bioprotection sector.
Visit https://biopesticidesummit.com/ for more information and to register your attendance.
Image caption: More than 200 experts from 20 countries gathered at Swansea University to discuss challenges and opportunities in the bioprotection sector at the Bioprotection Summit in July 2019.
Contact:
| Dr Minshad Ansari Chairman of the WBF minshad.ansari@worldbioprotectionforum.com | Dr Sarah Harding Director of Communications sarah.harding@worldbioprotectionforum.com |
Editor note:
The Biopesticide Summit is the annual meeting of the World BioProtection Forum (WBF) and it’s members.
The WBF is a non-profit organisation for encouraging collaboration across the biocontrol industry and academia. The WBF was founded in 2019 by Dr Minshad Ansari – a scientist who became an entrepreneur – to encourage the successful development and commercialisation of novel biological control products for agricultural pests and diseases. To join the WBF, or for more information, please visit https://www.worldbioprotectionforum.com/
Four world-leading experts have joined the World BioProtection Forum (WBF) as members of its new Advisory Committee, to ensure the Forum offers the best possible advantages for its members.
In order to help its members, navigate the challenges and opportunities of the post-COVID, post-Brexit world, the WBF is proud to have four world-leading experts join its new Advisory Committee.
- Professor Ralf-Udo Ehlers is a renowned scientist who is deeply engaged in European research projects concerning bioprotection methods. He is the Founder of the company E-nema, which produces nematodes and microorganisms to be used in pest control. He is also Guest Professor at Gent University in Belgium.
- Professor Shashi Sharma, Adjunct Professor at the Harry Butler Institute of Murdoch University, Australia, has led a long and distinguished career of around 40 years as a scientist, science leader, coordinator, policy maker, manager, program leader and director of a diverse range of programs focusing on plant and environment health, food security, market access and trade.
- Dr Stephen Ford is the Founder of Ecolibrium Biologicals, a multi award winning Agri-Biotech company based in Auckland, New Zealand, with a global perspective on the provision of sustainable pest control solutions in agriculture and horticulture. He is a Winner of Auckland Universities’ prestigious Entrepreneurs Challenge, a recipient of an NZ Bio Award, and a Finalist in the Bayer NZ Innovators Awards.
- Dr Venkatesh Devanur is Founder and CEO of Agri Life, India, a premier biopesticide company that exports biopesticides and biofertilizers internationally. Reflecting his devotion to the biopesticide and biofertilizer industry, Dr Devanur has been Secretary of BIPA (Bio-Agri Inputs Producers Association of India) for the past 6 years.
These experts will help the WBF to achieve its goal of encouraging collaborations between all stakeholders throughout the bioprotection industry to facilitate innovation and commercialisation. They will also help our sector to take advantage of the opportunities offered by recent changes in the balance of global power.
Challenges and opportunities
The COVID pandemic has affected all areas of scientific research. Biopesticide developers have been impacted by restrictions on practical research and funding, which have only added to pre-existing obstacles of regulatory hurdles, commercial uptake, and formulation challenges. On the other hand, COVID led to surging consumer demand for organic produce with no chemical residues and, in the wake of Brexit, the UK government has declared a commitment to support science and technology, and an intention to expand partnerships across the globe.
Regulatory reform
Following Brexit, the UK Government has the opportunity, freedom (and relative agility for change) to reform the regulatory environment for biopesticides. The WBF has undertaken the task of leading a dialogue with the UK government, to drive reform in matters most important to our members. The organisation is working to lead an initiative calling for meaningful reform to the regulatory process for biopesticides in the UK, and to developing an environment that supports and nurtures this sector. This could be a first step to encouraging more rapid reform across the EU.
“If there was ever a time to make effective requests for change, it is now!” declared Dr Minshad Ansari, Chairman of the WBF. “It is very clear that the UK government is keen to nurture sectors such as ours – not just because of our innovation and biotech, but also because our sector ties in so strongly with the clean, green future that forms a key part of their vision. If we are successful, we should have a regulatory environment in the UK that is much less expensive, and in which reviews should take one year instead of four or five.”
Virtual conference 2021
The WBF’s virtual conference on 6th July will focus on regulatory challenges, and the WBF’s initiative calling for regulatory reform in the UK (and beyond). Visit https://biopesticidesummit.com/ for more information.
Contact:
|
Dr Minshad Ansari Chairman of the WBF |
Dr Sarah Harding Director of Communications sarah.harding@worldbioprotectionforum.com
|
Editor note:
About the World BioProtection Forum
The World BioProtection Forum (WBF) is a non-profit organisation for encouraging collaboration across the biocontrol industry and academia. The WBF was founded in 2019 by Dr Minshad Ansari – a scientist who became an entrepreneur – to encourage the successful development and commercialisation of novel biological control products for agricultural pests and diseases. To join the WBF, or for more information, please visit www.worldbioprotectionforum.com
Coronavirus Forces The Postponement of the Biopesticide Summit 2020
The Biopesticide Summit and Awards 2020, the world’s leading event in the Biocontrol Industry and planned to be held on May 19-20th 2020, has been postponed to March 23-24th 2021 due to the developments concerning Coronavirus.
We are closely monitoring and following the UK Government advice and the advice of Public Health England and Wales in relation to this issue and we will continue to do so. The Government and our health and social care systems plan extensively for events of this nature, to ensure that the UK is well prepared to respond in a way that offers substantial protection to the public.
Securing an impressive line-up of global speakers has resulted in being extra cautious with safety and health in international travel, amid the growing concerns around spreading the virus.
The Biopesticide Summit has explored alternative ways of hosting a digital conference but felt it important to keep the interaction and engagement element for such an eminent group of speakers, sponsors and exhibitors and delegates.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Minshad Ansari, Chairman and Founder of The World Bioprotection Forum, said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly. While it is disappointing to postpone, it is imperative that we prioritise the health and safety of everyone involved. Our goal remains to provide the best biocontrol event for our delegates, speakers and everyone involved.”
The Biopesticide Summit and Awards team will communicate closely with delegates, sponsors, speakers and exhibitors over the coming weeks to ensure we move in the right direction during this difficult period and is working with the NEC for smooth facilitation of postponement.
Please check the government website for the latest information:
Our principal concern is for the welfare of our customers, visitors and staff.
We are closely monitoring the advice of WHO, PHE and Local Government in relation to Coronavirus and its impact on events.
We have established a series of precautionary measures in accordance with such advice and will adapt these measures and our policies if this advice changes.
As far as we are concerned, our event is going forwards with all safety precautions possible. This will be communicated as soon as possible.
This is an opportunity like no other.
With world leading experts in the fields of Biopesticides ready to hear your investment pitch Dragon’s Den style, this is the time to focus on giving your ideas a stage.
To help you get started Sarah Carr, from leading UK based technology incubator Farm 491, will present a mini talk on the ‘Do’s and Don'ts of Pitching’, which will give you an understanding of what investors are looking for, both now and in the future.
The stage is then yours for five minutes, the pinnacle of your hard work coming to fruition as you get to showcase your unique ideas in the biopesticide industry. Your Judges are investors, policy makers, market research, academics who are looking to fund the next big idea..
The winner will be presented with the InvestorReady Award at the award ceremony, and the journey to the next step of their company evolution begins.
We are proud and privileged to announce, and welcome, Dr. Jim Bullock to the ranks of Keynote Speaker at the Biopesticide Awards 2020.
Dr. Bullock, Cofounder and Director of iFormulate Ltd will chair formulation sessions, specifically discussing 'Bioformulation: Protection, stability and targeted delivery.
With over 30 years of the chemical using industry in R&D, Consulting, Strategic and Marketing Roles, Jim has a strong record of developing and supporting innovative formulations in a wide range of markets.
Jim co-founded iFormulate Ltd. in 2012, since then the company has provided R&D support to companies engaged in formulation across all chemical using industries.
In the areas of crop protection and related formulations, iFormulate has conducted numerous client assignments and has developed and delivered a popular training course 'Introducion to Agrochemical Formulation Strategies'.
Jim also co-authored Agrow reports on Agrochemical Formulation (2016), Sustainability in Agrochemicals (2018) and Bioformulations (2020).
Following a D.Phil from Oxford, Jim led R&D projects in imaging formulation at Ilford Ltd and activities on crystal engineering and dye formulation and chemistry at ICI/Zeneca.
At BASF, in UK and Germany, he headed formulation and development for colours and held marketing, strategy R&D and regulatory affairs functions for BASF's global biocides business.
Jim also served from 2010-2012's CEO of Intelligent Formulation Ltd which promoted formulation technology in the UK.
The Biopesticide Summit 2020 is delighted to announce the Global Biopesticide Awards 2020 will be presented as part of its gala dinner on 19th May. Over 300 industry colleagues and guests are expected to attend and celebrate achievements in the field of bioprotection.
After the success of the first Biopesticide Summit and Awards in July 2019, the executive and steering committee of the World BioProtection Form (WBF) is delighted to announced that the 2nd Biopesticide Summit & Awards will take place on 19-20 May 2020, at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The Summit will connect industry and academia to create novel ideas and services, next generation formulations and delivery systems and provide support for accessing investments to commercialise novel products for horticulture, forestry and sport turf. The event brings together the international bioprotection community, including innovators, academics, commercial providers and end-users, to discuss and address the most pressing issues in crop protection and pest control. Testament to the quality of the programme, and the event’s unique approach to gathering all stakeholders across the entire biopesticides chain, the Summit is delighted this year to partner with leading media in the field, such as AgroPages, IHS Markit | Agrow, Agrospectrum and Planteria.
A key part of the two-day event is the Biopesticide Awards, which recognise and showcase the achievements of innovators working across the bioprotection industry. This year, eight awards will recognise outstanding achievements in the development of new bioprotection products (those launched within the past 2 years) and their impact in crop protection.
Award categories are:
- New Bioinsecticide Product
- New Biofungicide Product
- New Bionematicide Product
- New Biochemical Product
- Outstanding Achievement
- Industry Collaboration
- Innovative Research Project of The Year
- BioTech Start-up Business of The Year
Last year’s winners included leaders in innovation such as AgBio Systems, Bionema and the University of Birmingham, Ecoflora Agro, Ecolibrium Biologicals, Ecop-FP, Ecospray, Maxtim and Russell IPM.
Dr Minshad Ansari, Chairman of the Biopesticide Summit & Awards said: “The Awards and gala dinner offer a truly unique opportunity to recognise the achievements of the latest and most innovative new products on the market, the best research projects and the brightest start-ups that the global bioprotection industry has to offer.”
To enter the Global Biopesticide Awards 2020 or to discuss sponsorship of an award, please visit https://biopesticidesummit.com/awards-2019/awards-2020/ or email events@biopesticidesummit.com for an application form.
The deadline for nominations is 31st March 2020.
Contact:
Dr Sarah Harding
Director of Communications
s.harding@worldbioprotectionforum.com
About the World BioProtection Forum
The Biopesticide Summit & Awards is the annual event of the World BioProtection Forum (WBF) – a non-profit organisation for encouraging collaboration across the biocontrol industry and academia. The WBF was founded in 2019 by Dr Minshad Ansari – a scientist who became an entrepreneur – to encourage the successful development and commercialisation of novel biological control products for agricultural pests and diseases. To join the WBF, or for more information, please visit www.worldbioprotectionforum.com
The event, hosted by the World BioProtection Forum, will address major global challenges in sustainable pest and disease management
After the success of first Biopesticide Summit & Awards, the executive and steering committee of the Biopesticide Summit is delighted to announced that the second Biopesticide Summit & Awards will take place on 19-20 May 2020, at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Biopesticides can no longer be viewed as a niche market or an ‘alternative’ to conventional pesticides. Rather, they are the part of a range of plant protection products – that include conventional pesticides – which need to be adopted by farming communities to maintain season long control of pests and diseases, integrate with biological pest control programmes and manage potential issues relating to crop residues.
The global biopesticide industry is projected to grow at more than 14% over the next five years[1], in response to a perfect storm of challenges facing growers, including the damaging side-effects of toxic chemicals, a growing resistance to chemical insecticides, regulatory removal of chemical products and increasing consumer demand for sustainable practices. The Summit agenda will seek to anticipate and address future requirements with more sustainable solutions.
The Summit aims to connect industry and academia to create novel ideas and services, next generation formulations and delivery systems and provide support for accessing investments to commercialise novel products.
The event brings together the international bioprotection community, including innovators, academics, commercial providers and end-users, to discuss and address the most pressing issues in crop protection and pest control.
The Summit is one of the largest events in the biopesticide industry outside of the US, by number of delegates. The NEC is Great Britain’s largest conference venue, and the ideal central location for national and international visitors to this second annual event.
Delegates will hear from world-leading scientists, researchers, key industry stakeholders, government organisations, investors, policymakers and integrated pest management practitioners.
The event also provides the opportunity for companies to exhibit and delegates to network with peers, innovators and investors.
[1] https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/global-biopesticides-market-industryThe Biopesticide Summit & Awards 2020 will:
- Bring together leading innovators and practitioners in biocontrol industry.
- Assemble a large and high-quality community of academia, industry and investors to encourage collaboration.
- Provide meaningful discussion on the challenges facing the industry between growers, customers and biocontrol professionals.
- Provide pragmatic insight into commercialisation and investment fundraising for new biocontrol ideas.
- Provide opportunity for 1-to-1 networking, exhibition, and speaker slots.
- Celebrate the best and brightest new ideas at the Gala Dinner and Awards
Dr Minshad Ansari, Summit chairman and CEO of Bionema said: “By helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry on the one hand, and commercial providers, growers and buyers on the other, this Summit can address the issues that really matter for the biopesticide industry: namely, where is the next generation of commercially viable innovation coming from, and how will they be financed?”
He added, “The Awards and gala dinner offer a truly unique opportunity to recognise the achievements of the latest and most innovative new products on the market, the best research projects and the brightest start-ups that the global bioprotection industry has to offer.”
ENDS
For more information on the Biopesticide Summit & Awards contact:
events@biopesticidesummit.com
Tel: 44(0) 207 193 9037
Tel: 44 (0) 1792606916
https://biopesticidesummit.com
For more information on the World BioProtection Forum contact:
Ross Butler
Tel: +44(0) 207 193 9037
https://www.worldbioprotectionforum.com
Register at https://biopesticidesummit.com/registration
Follow us on Twitter at @biosummit20
Notes to editors
The Biopesticide Summit
The Biopesticide Summit and awards is an international platform for collaboration, partnership and advancement of the industry and an integral part of the World Biopesticide Forum. https://biopesticidesummit.com
About the World BioProtection Forum
The World BioProtection Forum (WBF) is an international platform for encouraging collaboration across the biocontrol industry and academia. The WBF was founded in 2019 by Dr Minshad Ansari – a scientist who became an entrepreneur – to encourage the successful development and commercialisation of novel biological control products for agricultural pests and diseases. To join the WBF, or for more information, please visit www.worldbioprotectionforum.com
Nominations for the 2020 Awards will open in December.
2019 Award winners:
- New Bioinsecticide Product: Ecolibrium Biologicals
- New Biofungicide Product: Ecoflora Agro
- New Bionematicide Product: Ecospray
- New Semiochemical Product: Eco-FP
- New Biostimulant Product: Maxstim
- Innovative Research Project: Agbio Systems
- Industry Collaboration Award: Bionema and Birmingham University
- Outstanding Achievement Award: Dr Shakir Al-Zaidi, Founder and Chairman, Russell IPM
Past sponsors include:
Maxstim
Russel IPM
Enterprise Europe Network
Fargro
Capital Law
Bionema
Health & Safety Executive
Ecospray
EcoFP
Dejex
Greenaway Scott
APIS
Koppert
ESRI
Bristol, UK - 20 May 2019
Fruit Focus, the leading technical event for the fruit industry, is returning to NIAB’s East Malling Research in 2019. The event will take place in Kent on the 17th of July, one week earlier than in previous years. Tickets are now available on the event website.
Fruit Focus is a unique opportunity for the UK fruit and viticulture industries to learn about the latest industry news, network with fellow professionals and gain access to the best industry resources.
This is an unmissable event for networking with other fruit growers, farming journalists, processing industry leaders, distributors, retailers, buyers, policy makers and marketers.
Alli McEntyre, Fruit Focus Event Director, says the new date, before school holidays and parliamentary recess, will make it easier for industry players, legislators and key politicians to attend along with visitors and exhibitors.
In 2017, speakers of the event discussed the challenges of the EU crop protection legislative system and changes in seasonal workers' availability for the fruit industry. Come and find out what has changed since then.
Last year, Fruit Focus featured over a hundred exhibitors, with a few international ones, but with strong interest coming from the industry, this year the event organisers are hoping to see more exhibitors arriving to the East Malling Research Centre.
Visit our website for a list of our speakers, exhibitors and the exciting subjects Fruit Focus research tours will debate in 2019.
Prysm Group, the UK's fastest growing independent trade exhibition organiser, is delivering the PR activity for Fruit Focus in 2019.
Visit their website http://www.fruitfocus.co.uk/
Dr David Calvert, Co-founder and Director of iFormulate, explains how formulation techniques are being used to improve the stability, utility and efficacy of biopesticides. See David at the Biopesticide Summit, 2-3rd of July, Swansea.
Read the full article below;
The Biopesticide Awards will honour 10 stand-out winners at our inaugural Biopesticide Awards ceremony on the 2nd of July. All biotech businesses, from the smallest to the largest, play a crucial role in driving the biocontrol industry forward. Deadline for applications is May 20th.
The categories are;
- New Bioinsecticide Product
- New Biofungicide Product
- New Bionematicide Product
- New Biochemical Product
- New Biofertilizer Product
- New Biostimulant Product
- Outstanding Achievement
- Industry Collaboration
- Innovative Research Project of The Year
- BioTech Start-up Business of The Year
Apply for the awards by e-mailing us at awards@biopesticidesummit.com