Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting Lucerne 2008

The third ABIM-Lucerne Conference, the premier international meeting of the biocontrol industry, presented novel and safe biological crop protection products and discussed new trends in the global market.

(Lucerne, 21.10.2008) The 3^rd Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM-Lucerne 2008) was held at the KKL Culture and Convention Center Lucerne, Switzerland on October 20^th-21^st 2008. Sponsored by the European Commission, the meeting was organised jointly by the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA) and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL). ABIM-Lucerne provides an annual meeting place specifically adapted to the needs of the biocontrol industry.

Plant protection with natural and biological systems allows for the sustainable production of healthy foods while refraining from the use of chemical pesticides. The biocontrol industry is based on many years of research and development.

During the two days of the conference, over 340 delegates representing more than 200 companies and organisations from all over the globe exchanged experience and obtained information on the latest products and developments on the world market. The vast majority of company representatives stated that they were highly satisfied with the outcome of the conference.

In the scientific programme, 28 presentations covered the latest developments in market development, regulatory affairs and novel products for plant protection. In addition to the presentation, information was at display in stands and posters.

ABIM-Lucerne is sponsored by EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel (DG-Agri), the EU Enterprise Commissioner (DG-Enterprise), the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) and the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) as well as by the city of Lucerne.