Lunch break sponsored by Biobest NV

Welcome to ABIM 2016

• Lucius Tamm (ABIM Steering committee): Welcome on behalf of the organising committee.
• Willem Ravensberg (President IBMA)
• IBMA Bernard Blum Award Winner to be represented by Owen Jones
• Award Winning presentation

Pre-Aperitif Keynote Address. Timeslot sponsored byKoppert Biological Systems

• Keynote Address: Jim Jones (US EPA): Support for Biopesticides in Modern Agriculture.

Plenary session 1: (Chair: Willem Ravensberg)

Regulatory Issues

• Jeremy Pinte (DG Sante): EC Reg 1107/2009 Refit.
• Ingrid Becks (Ctgb, NL): Sustainable plant protection: experiences in the Netherlands.
• Jeremy Pinte (DG Sante): AIR4 reviews for potential low-risk active substances.
• David Cary (IBMA) and Rio Praaning (PA Europe): Low risk bioprotection products: contribution, progress and hurdles.

Plenary session 2: (Chair: Vittorio Veronelli)

Biocontrol regulation: looking for solutions

• Martin Brink (Center for Genetic Resources, WUR, NL): Update on Nagoya protocol and ABS in the EU.
• Johannette Klapwijk (Koppert Biological Systems): ABS Experience from industry.
• Keith Jones (BPIA): US regulatory challenges and progress.
• Roma Gwynn (Rationale): FAO innovative developments in regulating biocontrol products.

Plenary session 3: (Chair: Charles Vaury)

Offered Natural and Biochemical Products Talks

• Nicolas Cock Duque (Ecoflora Agro): Ecoflora Agro botanical biocontrol solutions – a paradigm shifting solution for sustainable crop protection.
• S. Balaji (E.I.D. Parry): Biocontrol of grape pests using Neemazal.
• Moshe Reuveni (Stockton Israel Ltd.): Botanical biopesticides on disease management in conventional programmes.
• Owen Jones (Lisk and Jones Consultants): Novel insecticidal soap – an old dog with new tricks.

Plenary session 4: (Chair: Alessandra  Moccia)

Offered Semio-chemicals Talks

• Matej Štefančič (Efos/Trapview): Automated pest monitoring – increased efficiency, self-cleaning traps and re-defined pest population forecasting.
• Vittorio Veronelli (CBC Europe): Mating Disruption – back to the future.

Plenary Session 5: (Chair: Lieselot van der Veken)

Offered Macrobials Talks

• Ralf-Udo Ehlers (eNema): Genetic improvement of biocontrol nematodes.
• Lerzan Erkilic (Biyotar): Mealybug biological control on grapes in Turkey.
• Enric Vila (Agrobio): Prey mites as an innovative strategy for biological control.
• Felix Wäckers (Biobest): Turning ants from foes to friends.

Plenary session 6: (Chair: Frank Eyhorn, HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation)

National Action Plans for Pesticide Reduction: The role of Biocontrol

Panel discussion and public debate

Reducing pesticide use and risks in agriculture is a joint responsibility of policy makers, farmers, private sector and civil society. Biocontrol approaches and technologies have significantly advanced and can play an important role to achieve this objective. What needs to be done in order to enhance the use of alternative crop protection methods? What can farmers, researchers, biocontrol manufacturers, retailers, consumers and policy makers contribute?

Panellists:

• Eva Reinhard, Deputy Director, the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture FOAG
• Vittorio Veronelli, Vice President, International Biocontrol Manufacturer Association IBMA
• Manfred Bötsch, Head of Department of Sustainability and Quality Management at MIGROS Switzerland
• Indira Moreno Echeverri, Pest Management Expert, UTZ Certified / IPM Coalition
• Cesar Gonzalez, Policy Advisor, Copa/Cogeca
• Frank Eyhorn, Senior Advisor Sustainable Agriculture, Helvetas (Moderator)

Sponsored Pre-Aperitif Keynote Address sponsored by Valent BioSciences / Sumitomo Chemical

• Thilivhali Nepfumbada (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, South Africa): Opportunities to register biological products in South Africa.

Plenary Session 7: (Chair: Willem Ravensberg)

Biocontrol across the globe

• Rajpal Yadav (WHO): Biocontrol and WHO/FAO.
• Ketan Mehta (PMFAI): Biocontrol in India.
• Tetsuo Wada (Arysta Life Science): Biocontrol in Japan.
• Pedro Faria Jnr. (ABC Bio): Biocontrol in Brazil.
• Tom Mason (Dudutech): Biocontrol in Africa.

Plenary Session 8: (Chair: Andrew Brown)

Microbials Special Session
The increasing use of microbial pesticides, and developments in the food value chain.

• Rick Melnick (Valent BioScience): An Update on the EFSA Bt Opinion and the Role of Microbials in Sustainable Agriculture.
• Friederike Trognitz (AIT): The microbiome and its implications for microbial biocontrol.
• Lucius Tamm (FiBL): Market analysis and overview of the impact of changes to EU Organic legislation.
• Amy Roberts (TSG): FDA Food Modernisation Act.
• Cesar Gonzalez (Copa and Cogeca): Farmers and Microbials – Uses and needs.
• Andrew Brown (BASF): Use of biological control to manage fungicide resistance management.