Speakers ABIM 2022
Alberto Acedo, Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer at Biome Makers
Dr. Acedo is a Biotech Entrepreneur and the scientific soul of Biome Makers ‘technology, a Silicon Valley startup focused on agriculture - soil microbiome - an application to promote global sustainable farming. He's awarded a PhD in biotechnology, specialized in NGS sequencing and machine learning.TEDx speaker, European Commission Expert and GLOSOLAN (FAO) member. Recognized as a young AgTech visionary by MIT tech review and Agfunder among others. Count tens of patents and scientific reports, and hundred research projects ongoing in collaboration with different institutions worldwide, leading Fields4Ever initiative.
25 October 2022, Session 1: Innovation for IPM and biocontrol
A microbiome-based system that recommends bio-stimulants, for improving the desired or identified deficiency
Fabio Andrade Silva, Regional PDM Insecticides Manager at FMC Corporation
Dr. Fabio Andrade Silva is an agronomist/entomologist with more than 25 years in the industry. His work at FMC Corporation as Regional PDM Insecticides Manager is to oversee insecticide and nematicide technical projects for the LATAM region. Silva received his PhD from São Paulo State University in Botucatu researching integrated pest management.
25 October 2022, Session 2: Best practices and opportunities in biocontrol from across the world
Biological control of sugarcane nematodes in Brazil
Dan Bailey, Associate at Appleyard Lees
Dan is a dual-qualified trade mark attorney and solicitor with nearly 10 years of experience in developing IP strategies, clearing, registering and enforcing trade marks. He also manages national and international trade mark portfolios and advises on contentious and non-contentious trade mark, copyright and design matters.
25 October 2022, Workshop 3: IP protection and patents (for IBMA members only)
David Calvert, Co-founder and director of iFormulate Ltd
David has over 25 years experience of developing new products and services for the chemical-using industries including pharmaceuticals, inks, coatings, agrochemicals and FMCG to name but a few. More recently he has worked on a number of projects related to the formulation of biocontrol products and during the workshop will explain how a structured approach to the formulation process can accelerate product commercialisation and uptake.
25 October 2022, Workshop 2: Formulating for biology (for IBMA members only)
Patrick Caron, Vice President for International Affairs, University of Montpellier
Education Dr in veterinary sciences, PhD in geography, HDR (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches) in geography
Patrick Caron is a veterinary doctor, PhD and HDR in development geography. He is a specialist of farming systems and territorial dynamics.
He is Vice President for International Affairs of the University of Montpellier since January 2019, Director of the Montpellier Advanced Knowledge Institute on Transitions, and Chair of Agropolis International.
He joined CIRAD in 1988 where he has been Director-General for research and strategy from 2010 to 2016, after having served as scientific director for the “Territories, Environment and People" Department (2001-2004) and as "Environments and Societies" Department director from 2007 to 2010. His works relate to the analysis of the role of agriculture and livestock in rural transformations, particularly in Brazil, Southern Africa and the Near East.
In has organized and chaired many international scientific events (e.g. Global Science Conference on Climate Smart Agriculture in 2016, International conference Agrichains and sustainable development in 2017, International conference on Living Territories in 2018, International Conference on Global Food Security in 2020). He is a member of the French Academies of Technology and of Agriculture and Food.
He was the Chair of the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) of the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS) from November 2015 to October 2019.
He is a member of many institutional and inter-institutional bodies. He is in particular a Board member of CGIAR since September 2020 and has been a member of the Scientific Group of the 2021 UN Food System Summit.
25 October 2022, Keynote speech
Feeding the growing global population while investing in the health of the planet
David Cary, Member of the Executive Board of ABIM AG
David Cary has been a pivotal figure in the biocontrol industry and ABIM. He was appointed as the 1st Executive Director of IBMA and served in that role from 2009 to 2019. He has been a member of the organising team at ABIM since 2009. He is an entomologist by training and has represented the industry at FAO, OECD and EU level. He has served under 4 IBMA Presidents and worked closely with Bernard Blum who was often referred to as the founding father of IBMA. He has been involved in the Bernard Blum Award since its creation.
24 October 2022, Host Bernard Blum Award
25 October 2022, Chair Session 4: Case studies on company transformations from chemistry to biology
Charlene Collison, Associate Director of Sustainable Value Chains and Livelihoods at Forum for the Future
Charlene directs Forum for the Future’s Challenge Lab on Sustainable Value Chains, which works to make value chains of land-based commodities regenerative, resilient and just. She leads multi-stakeholder collaborative initiatives across a range of agricultural sectors, including directing the Cotton 2040 initiative which takes a collaborative and systemic approach to issues critical to cotton’s future. Charlene also leads strategy projects with brands, retailers and foundation partners, with a focus on using futures tools to diagnose and act on complex systemic challenges in commodity value chains, and on prototyping solutions. She directs Forum’s inquiry into the future of value chains.
Drawing on over 20 years’ experience in futures, systems thinking, and organisational change, Charlene is a lead facilitator on Forum’s School for Systems Change, and supports Forum’s thought leadership on systemic and collaborative change processes. Previous roles included futures and scenario planning with the UK Department of Business and Innovation & Skills.
25 October 2022, Panel discussion
Feeding the growing global population while investing in the health of the planet
26 October 2022, Session 6: Food industry work in agriculture and what biocontrol can contribute
Exploring the potential for action on biocontrol throughout the arable supply chain, with an emphasis on the role of food companies in shaping demand
Ezio Costa, NPP BU Leader at Natural Plant Protection (NPP) by UPL
Ezio was CEO - Crop Care Holdings at Patria Investments in LATAM with focus on Biocontrol and Special Nutrition solutions. Prior to joining Patria, Ezio managed key leadership roles in SCM organization. In his last role at UPL, he was the Global Head of Formulations Supply Chain and Operations. A multi-faceted leader who worked in manufacturing, supply chain, in AGRO SB and Syngenta, he brings strong expertise in managing business globally with a stint in Hong Kong with Rotam.
Ezio is refining the Global NPP growth strategy, reviewing the Bio-Solutions portfolio and R&D strategy, go-to market approach in key business regions to create a strong business plan in partnership with the regions
25 October 2022, Session 4: Case studies on company transformations from chemistry to biology
Michele Demers, Founder and CEO of Boundless Impact Research & Analytics
Michele has 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur, business executive, and impact measurement expert.
She is Founder and CEO of Boundless Impact Research & Analytics, an industry research and impact analytics platform that provides quantitative and evidence-based research and data for investors, companies, and funds. Boundless offers Scope 1, 2 & 3 climate data and analysis and market intelligence across a growing number of emerging sectors that address significant environmental challenges.
From 2010-2013, she was Vice President at Foundation Source where she built a knowledge platform on best practices in philanthropy that was used by a network of 1200 family offices. From 2007-2008, Michele was Director of Communications for Humanity United, a philanthropic entity created by Pam Omidyar and eBay founder Pierre Omidyar. She has been involved in the successful development of more than two-dozen startups and is regularly called upon for her innovative thinking about environmental impact measurement.
Michele advises and mentors several emerging clean tech companies and projects and has a proven track record in building new technologies, research methodologies, and companies.
She is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University and has a Master’s in International Relations and Communications from Boston University.
25 October 2022, Workshop 4: The role of biocontrol in sustainability and SDGs (for IBMA members only)
Domenico Deserio, Policy Officer in the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety of the European Commission (DG SANTE)
Domenico Deserio is a Policy Officer in the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety of the European Commission (DG SANTE). He is responsible for policies related to micro-organisms used as active substances in plant protection products. Within the EU Biopesticide Working Group, he has worked is currently working on the amendment of Regulations concerning placing on the market of microbiological active substances and plant protection products. Before joining the European Commission, he has worked as scientific officer for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in the area of biological hazards. He holds a Master of Biotechnology from the University of Bari (Italy), and completed his thesis on food microbiology. Moreover, he achieved an advanced postgraduate Master by Research of Agricultural Science at the University of Adelaide (Australia), carrying out his research on plant genomics and plant pathology.
25 October 2022, Session 3: The changing regulatory environment for biocontrol
EU microbial data requirements
Barbara Edler, MUCF Coordinator, Minor Uses
Barbara is a weed scientist by training. At the beginning of October 2020, she started work as coordinator for the European Minor Uses Coordination Facility (MUCF), which was established in 2015 and based at the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) in Paris. For the last 8 years she worked in the field of plant protection for an Austrian company producing biological control agents. There she fulfilled the role of product manager with a focus on experimental research for regulatory purposes. This is where she first experienced the challenging complexity associated with specialty crops and minor uses.
The MUCF serves as an exchange platform to support identification of solutions to crop protection issues for specialty crops in an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) framework. The mission of the MUCF is to ensure continuous, sustainable production of speciality crops in order to maintain an independent and diverse European food production system and thus contributing to sustainable European agriculture. To date, there is no EU-wide harmonised definition for minor uses and speciality crops. Minor uses of pesticides are applications on minor crops or against pests on major crops that do not occur routinely but can occasionally be very harmful. These speciality crops have a high economic value for farmers but are usually of little economic interest for the agro-pesticide industry. An overview of the status of work on minor uses is available at:
www.minoruses.eu
25 October 2022, Session 3: The changing regulatory environment for biocontrol
European Minor Uses Coordination Facility (MUCF) Activities & Developments
Simon Elsworth, Head of Syngenta’s Professional Solutions Business in Europe Africa and the Middle East
He has over 30 years of industry experience in a variety of commercial, technical, marketing, strategy and leadership roles and has a broad experience in both agricultural and professional markets.
Over the last 6 years Simon has led the development of Syngenta’s Professional Solutions Business in EAME, building market leading positions across expanding geographies. With a sharp focus on delivering value and solving customers problems, he has led the development of a business founded on R&D, with a portfolio of sustainable solutions which integrate a range of products and technologies. He is a firm believer in the fundamental power of collaboration and partnerships to enable and support the integration of biological, chemical and digital technologies to deliver high quality solutions for tomorrows problems today.
Simon holds a BSc in Agriculture from Edinburgh University and a Masters Degree in Business Administration.
25 October 2022, Session 4: Case studies on company transformations from chemistry to biology
Creating the Platform to Transform
Robert Finger, ETH Zurich, Agricultural Economics and Policy Group
Robert Finger is since 2016 professor of Agricultural Economics and Policy at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. He previously had positions as professor at Wageningen University and the University of Bonn. The teaching and research of Robert Finger is at the interface of agricultural sciences and economics and contributes to more resilient and sustainable agricultural and food systems. Research mainly focusses on farm-level decisions and their interrelation with the environment, markets, societies, and policies, mainly related to European agriculture. He published more than 150 peer reviewed articles in leading agricultural economic and leading interdisciplinary journals on topics such as sustainable pest management, agricultural risk management, and agricultural policies. Papers can be found here.
Since 2021, Robert Finger is the Chair of the World Food System Center that hosts ca. 50 groups at ETH Zürich and supports multi- and transdisciplinary approaches in research, education, and outreach activities to contribute to sustainable food security.
Robert Finger and his team are strongly engaged in outreach and science communication. For example, they established a blog on agricultural policy that synthesizes academic papers into non-technical blog posts in German and French targeting at non-academic stakeholders. He is also strongly engaged in policy and industry advice. In 2021, Robert Finger was listed by the newspaper NZZ among the most influential economists in Switzerland.
26 October 2022, Session 5: Enabling and nudging policies for the transition from chemistry to biology
Economics and policy of moving from chemistry to biology in plant protection
Barbara Fleck, Partner at Appleyard Lees
Barbara is a specialist in patents in the agritech and healthcare sectors. She has over 20 years’ experience in patent drafting, prosecution, freedom to operate opinions, due diligence in connection with the sale or purchase of intellectual property rights, global patent portfolio management and IP strategy advice. Barbara is highly regarded for the commercially relevant advice she provides to her clients, including scale up and start-up companies seeking investment and development partners.
25 October 2022, Workshop 3: IP protection and patents (for IBMA members only)
Karine Grosbeau, EU and France Regulatory Manager CBC Biogard
Karine, EU and France Regulatory Manager within CBC Biogard, has been very active in IBMA for more than 10 years, member of the Executive Board of IBMA France, taking part in several IBMA working groups at national (France) as well as at global level. She has a broad background and a strong network in regulation, in particular for biocontrol products in Europe and in Africa.
25 October 2022, Chair Session 3: The changing regulatory environment for biocontrol
Roma Gwynn, Vice-President IBMA
Roma Gwynn is a bioprotectant specialist working for over 35 years; initially as a research scientist then for biocontrol companies and now an independent specialist working internationally. She has an MSc in Technology for Crop Protection and a PhD in Biological Control both from Reading University. Roma has taken a lead role in the development of many new biocontrol technologies (semio-chemicals, botanicals and microbials). Her expertise is in facilitating the process of getting biopesticide products into the hands of farmers by streamlining bio-discovery, product development, registration and marketing.
Roma has been an expert for regulation of biocontrol agents (OECD, EU, FAO/WHO). She is an independent board member for UK AHDB Horticulture, a board member of IAPPS and Vice-President of IBMA. Roma is involved with farmer projects including Crop Health North, AHDB SCEPTRE and AMBER projects. She was editor of the BCPC ‘The Manual of Biocontrol Agents’. Roma was awarded Associateship of The Royal Agriculture Show Societies and Fellowship of RSA (Royal society for arts, manufactures and commerce).
25 October 2022, Chair Session 2: Best practices and opportunities in biocontrol from across the world
Buyung Hadi, Agricultural Officer (IPM), Coordinator, Global Action for Fall Armyworm Control, FAO
Buyung serves as an Agricultural Officer (Integrated Pest Management, IPM) in Pest and Pesticide Management Team under FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Division. He coordinates the Secretariat for the Global Action for Fall Armyworm Control. His professional interests revolve around the development of IPM strategies and their enabling socio-economic and policy environments.
25 October 2022, Panel discussion
Feeding the growing global population while investing in the health of the planet
26 October 2022, Session 5: Enabling and nudging policies for the transition from chemistry to biology
FAO and biocontrol: enhancing capacities for sustainable plant protection
Rüdiger Hauschild, Managing Director Biocontrol APIS Applied Insect Science GmbH
A biologist specialising in molecular plant physiology, plant pathology, nematology and applied biocontrol research, Rüdiger has been closely involved in the regulation of biocontrol products and regulatory developments since 2005. He has been involved in more than 60 dossier submissions for microorganisms, botanicals and semiochemicals in the EU, and was involved in several EU research and policy initiatives, including the REBECA, ProLarix and BIOCOMES projects and is active in EU Commission and OECD working groups on development of guidance documents and new regulatory requirements.
25 October 2022, Session 3: The changing regulatory environment for biocontrol
Industry view on new microbials data requirements
Jordan Hazell, Research Manager at Semios
Jordan's experience in agricultural technology is comprised of equal parts tribulation and success. Over his 10 year tenure leading Semios' research endeavors globally, he has been integral in growing ideas into a commercially viable products used worldwide. Jordan’s expertise is multifaceted covering a wide range of agronomy, hardware development, and data analytics. As a pragmatist, Jordan regularly challenges what is understood to be theory and is devoted to working back from value to end users.
25 October 2022, Session 1: Innovation for IPM and biocontrol
IPM implementation via full crop cycle crop management platform
Salome Hofer, Head of Sustainability at Coop Group
Salome Hofer has been Head of Sustainability & Economic Policy at Coop since 2019. She is 36 years old and has been with Coop for over 10 years. She studied political science and communication management in Zurich and Lucerne and has further training in sustainability management. She has been President of the Swiss Soy Network since 2022 as part of her work at Coop and is also a member of the board of IGAS. In her private life, she has been a member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Basel-Stadt since 2009, which she presided over in 2020/2021.
26 October 2022, Session 6: Food industry work in agriculture and what biocontrol can contribute
Creating added value together along the entire value chain
Nikki Hulzebos, Program Manager Sustainability & Certification at Fresh Produce Centre of the Netherlands
Within the Fresh Produce Centre Nikki covers a broad range of sustainability & certification related topics, like certification schemes, crop protection, environmental footprinting, food loss & waste and packaging. Previously he worked as Project Manager Sustainability within the floriculture sector for Royal FloraHolland. As project manager he was involved in several sustainability related projects, like the development of a methodology to quantify the environmental impacts of plant protection products and the PEFCR for cut-flowers and potted plants (FloriPEFCR).
26 October 2022, Session 6: Food industry work in agriculture and what biocontrol can contribute
Measuring environmental impacts of fruit and vegetables from a life cycle perspective
Owen Jones, Managing Director and Partner at Lisk & Jones Consultants Ltd
Dr Owen Jones is a partner in the consultancy company Lisk & Jones Consultants Ltd that specialises in benign pest management technologies. He advises clients on related to semiochemicals, microbial products, biostimulants and plant-derived products.
Prior to his semi-retirement in 2012 he was responsible for Global Strategy at Suterra LLC and was based at AgriSense BCS Ltd, a company which he helped establish in 1984 to develop and commercialise insect monitoring and control systems based on pheromones.
He was also the President of the International Biocontrol Manufacturers’ Association (IBMA) for two years until December 2012 and on the board of IBMA for 5 years prior to that.
Dr Jones’ academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bangor University and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from the University of Cambridge (Churchill College). Dr Jones has been a Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society of London since 1978, an Honorary Professor in the School of Biosciences, Cardiff University and an Honorary Fellow of Bangor University.
24 October 2022: Bernard Blum Award
Jennifer Lewis, Member of the Executive Board of ABIM AG and Executive Director of IBMA Global
Jennifer Lewis was appointed as IBMA Executive Director in 2019. Jennifer is passionate about IPM, reducing the reliance on traditional pesticides through the uptake of these integrated programmes of pest and disease control in crop production throughout Europe.
Prior to IBMA, for 10 years Jennifer Lewis was a member of the Certis Europe Management Board as Head of Innovation and Development and during this period was Vice Chair of IBMA UK.
Earlier Jennifer was General Manager of BCP, a beneficial insect production company selling beneficial insects for pest control, which was purchased by Certis Europe.
Jennifer has worked in crop protection for 35 years in various marketing, regulatory and stewardship roles in the US, Brazil and Europe. Jennifer is an agronomy graduate with a Masters in Business Administration and a Diploma in Sustainable Business Development.
24 October 2022, Welcome note
Daniela Maia, Manager Regulatory Affairs at Vigna Brasil
Graduated in Biological Sciences, with an environmental emphasis.
She has been working in the regulatory area for agricultural pesticides for 13 years, specializing in the Biopesticides segment. Currently, she is the manager of regulatory affairs at the Vigna Brasil group, a consulting company established in the market for 26 years.
26 October 2022, Session 5: Enabling and nudging policies for the transition from chemistry to biology
Biocontrol in Brazil: What is in force, and what is to come
Antoine Martin, Global Technical Development Manager at Agrauxine
Antoine Martin is an agronomist graduated from ENITA of Bordeaux with 12 years experience in the biocontrol industry. Antoine started his career in a start-up, Agro-Levures et Dérivés, beeing in charge of the technical development of yeast based products from Lesaffre, for biocontrol and biostimulant markets. In 2014, he joined Agrauxine by Lesaffre division as global technical development manager to develop biosolutions portfolio worldwide. He has been working on cerevisane active ingredient and Romeo product for over 10 years.
24 October 2022: Bernard Blum Award
5 years after Bernard Blum Award overview of Cerevisane development and key learnings
Ketan Mehta, Ecosense Labs. (I) Pvt. Ltd.
25 October 2022, Session 2: Best practices and opportunities in biocontrol from across the world
Case study of biocontrol in India
Alessandra Moccia, Director Regulatory Affairs at Suterra
Alessandra strongly believes in a future where our farming practices become more sustainable. In 2012 she joined Suterra where she directs the Regulatory Affairs department, ensuring the registration of semiochemicals active substances and products globally. Since 2018 she is chair of the IBMA semiochemical professional group.
25 October 2022, Chair Session 1: Innovation for IPM and biocontrol
Marcelo Augusto Boechat Morandi, Senior Scientific Research – Embrapa Environment, Jaguariúna/SP, Brazil
Agronomist, master and doctorate degrees in Agronomy/Phytopathology by Federal University of Viçosa, with an internship at the University of Guelph, Canada. Was a professor of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology and is since 2001 a researcher at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation – Embrapa. Develops research & innovation on agriculture and environment, with emphasis on the areas of sustainability assessment and bio-inputs development. Coordinated Embrapa's Pesticide Rational Management Project Portfolio and the Working Group on Biological Control of the Southern Cone Plant Health Committee (COSAVE). Is a member of the Work Task RenovaBio – National Biofuels Policy, responsible for building the metrics and tools for the decarbonization credits program in Brazil. Act as Embrapa's representative on the Environment Committee of the National Confederation of Agriculture (CNA) and on the National Executive Committee of the Sector Plan for Consolidation of a Low-Carbon Economy in Agriculture (CENABC) – ABC+ Plan. Coordinate the Work Group for methodological harmonization for low carbon products at Embrapa. He is advisor of the Superior Council of Agribusiness (COSAG/FIESP) and member of the Council of Agrogalaxy Institute and the Superior Council of the Forum Campinas Foundation for Innovation. Occupied the deputy heads of Technology Transfer and Research & Development at Embrapa Environment, being the General Director of the unit from 2015 to 2022.
26 October 2022, Session 5: Enabling and nudging policies for the transition from chemistry to biology
The Brazilian Programme for Bio-inputs: enhancing biological inputs for a sustainable agriculture
Sabine Navis, Senior project Scientist, ARCHE Consulting
Sabine Navis has a background in ecotoxicology, based on a Master's degree in Earth System Science (specialization Environmental Toxicology) at Wageningen University and a PhD in Biology at KU Leuven. She worked for several years in industry on the preparation of REACH dossiers and environmental monitoring studies. Since 2015 she is working at ARCHE Consulting, focusing on environmental exposure, risk assessment and sustainability projects.
25 October 2022, Session 3: The changing regulatory environment for biocontrol
Oluwatobi E. Oni, Consultant, Exponent International Limited
Dr Oni is a consultant at Exponent International Limited, United Kingdom. He specializes in strategies for the registration of Ag-Chem products in Europe. Dr Oni draws on his expertise in Biochemistry and Environmental Microbiology to support clients in the registration of Ag-Chem products of biological origin (e.g., microorganisms and natural compounds) as well as conventional chemical-based products. Dr Oni has experience in supporting clients through all stages of Ag-Chem product registration and life cycle management.
25 October 2022, Session 1: Innovation for IPM and biocontrol
Exploiting RNA interference to achieve target specific pest control via plant protection products
Andrew Owen-Griffiths, Head of Unit Plants and Organics Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, European Commission
Andrew Owen-Griffiths has worked in food safety in both the public and private sectors in the UK and Dubai prior to joining the European Commission in 2000. He has worked as an auditor on a range of issues including Food Hygiene, Import Controls, HACCP, Pesticides, Contaminants and Plant Health and is currently Head of the Unit "Plants and Organics" which has responsibility for the application of the F2F pesticide targets and the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Directive and its revision.
25 October 2022, Session 3: The changing regulatory environment for biocontrol
Update on SUD
26 October 2022, Session 5: Enabling and nudging policies for the transition from chemistry to biology
EU Green Deal
Keith Pitts, SVP-Sustainability and Regulatory Strategy at Bioceres Crop Solutions
Keith Pitts has served in numerous senior legislative, administrative, regulatory and public policy roles for more than three decades and has been actively involved in shaping domestic and international policies regarding pesticides, organic agriculture, agricultural biotechnology, invasive species, climate change, specialty crops and food safety. Keith was recently appointed as SVP-Sustainability and Regulatory Strategy for Bioceres Crop Solutions (NASDAQ: BIOX) following its acquisition of Marrone Bio Innovations in July of 2022. Prior to his appointment at BIOX, Keith served as Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP-Regulatory and Government Affairs at Marrone Bio Innovations from 2008-2022, after working at the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a special assistant to Deputy Secretary Richard Rominger, and to Secretary Dan Glickman from 1997-2001.
Prior to serving at USDA, Keith was a staff director for subcommittees on the House Committee on Agriculture from 1991-1997. Prior to joining Marrone Bio Innovations in 2008, Keith served as the Director of Public Policy for the Pew Charitable Trust’s Initiative on Food and Biotechnology.
Over the years, Keith led several key agricultural, environmental and food safety initiatives for the USDA and with the House Committee on Agriculture. His career work has focused on issues such as the President’s Initiative to Ensure the Safety of Imported and Domestic Fruits and Vegetables, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Montreal Protocol and phase-out of methyl bromide, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, major reform of U.S. pesticide policy and agricultural biotechnology policy, the WTO and NAFTA, and several U.S. Farm Bills. He was also the USDA leader on developing and implementing the president’s Executive Order on Invasive Species and the president’s National Invasive Species Management Plan.
Keith has served on the National Research Council’s Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources, and he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Biological Products Industry Alliance.
25 October 2022, Workshop 4: The role of biocontrol in sustainability and SDGs (for IBMA members only)
Guido Ramirez Caceres, Marketing and Development Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Rizobacter
Guido joined the company in 2013 as Technical Service Leader, coordinating field trials worldwide. He also served as Portfolio and Business Development Manager, where he played an active role in the strengthening of the biocontrol and specialty nutrition segments, developed relationships with some of the largest global agribusiness corporations and supported the regional and local teams in diverse business initiatives. Before Rizobacter he worked at INTA, Argentina’s Agricultural Technology Institute, a seed production and R&D contractor and a local fertilizer and seed retail business. He has an Agronomy degree from Universidad Catolica Argentina in Buenos Aires and a Master in Agricultural Science (Soil Science and Plant Nutrition) from the University of Western Australia in Perth. While in Australia he was awarded the ‘Agribusiness Connect’ scholarship by the Western Australian government for his research on soil amelioration and chickpea production.
Guido is happy to be part of a team committed to help farmers grow in a sustainable way. He’s enthusiastic about the future of agriculture and passionate about untangling some of the complex interactions that occur in farming systems which can lead to optimal biological product positioning to scale up adoption. Collaboration with multiple stakeholders across the agricultural value chain is something he really values and shares with the company’s views.
Rizobacter is a company with 45 years of experience in the world of biologicals. Today, it is part of Bioceres Crop Solutions, which has recently merged with Marrone Bio Innovations. The combination of two powerful legacies positions Bioceres Crop Solutions as a leader in the segment with the potential to deliver multiple value addition opportunities for farmers around the globe.
25 October 2022, Session 1: Innovation for IPM and biocontrol
Disrupting the seed treatment market with a biological: the Rizoderma experience
Gustavo Ranzani Herrmann, Commercial Director at Koppert Brazil
B.S., Major in Agricultural Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP, Campus of Piracicaba)
Post-Graduation (Lato Sensu) in Business: MBA Investment, Management and Planning on Sugar Cane Industry Market (PECEGE/ESALQ/USP)
President of ABCBio (National Association of Biocontrol Industry) - 2013/2014 and Vice-President - 2017/2018
Board member CropLife Brasil (2020-2021 /2022-2023)
26 October 2022, Session 6: Food industry work in agriculture and what biocontrol can contribute
Positive impact of Biocontrol to food industry in Brazil
Wolfgang Reinert, Policy Officer Plant Health at European Commission Directorate General for Health and Food Safety
Wolfgang Reinert graduated as a biologist and was trained in zoology, ecology, soil biology and earned a PhD studying detection and dissemination of phytoplasmas associated with grapevine diseases in Germany. He was working with the German federal institute for plant protection in agriculture and forestry (BBA) and with an agricultural station of the German land Rheinland-Pfalz, in research, education and advisory service in plant protection and plant breeding.
In 2002, he joined the European Commission to deal with plant protection products. Leading the sector ‘pesticides – placing on the market’ from January 2014 onwards, he moved to his current position in the unit on plant health in June 2018. His current focus of activities are phytosanitary requirements regarding the import of wood, emergency measures against fruit flies of the family Tephritidae and invertebrate biocontrol agents.
25 October 2022, Session 3: The changing regulatory environment for biocontrol
The Commission report on use and options for invertebrate biocontrol agents in the EU – an update
Fanny Rolet, CEO Antofénol
Fanny Rolet obtained her Master’s degree in Biotechnology, Biotracability and Biodiversity from the University of Montpellier in 2011. Curious, she deepened her studies in 2012 by conducting entrepreneurial studies at the IAE of Montpellier.
In 2014, she founded and became the CEO of Antofénol, a company that valorizes plant biomass with an innovative eco-extraction technology to develop biocontrol products. Antofénol focuses its work on the valorisation of viticultural waste and develops it further to bring new environmentally friendly fungicides for crop protection to the market.
25 October 2022, Session 1: Innovation for IPM and biocontrol
Antoferine®, a new natural fungicide for crop protection
Philippe Rothgerber, Owner of Jus de fruits Rothgerber
Philippe Rothgerber grows fruits and vines close to Strasbourg in France. To avoid food waste as much as possible, he recently joined Moi Moche et Bon a young start-up to transform any kind of food waste into juices you definitely should taste. Philippe studied at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland to become an environment responsible grower. He believes that all around him belongs to God’s creation and love to work with his great Master. For him, being a farmer does not mean to follow the mainstream. He is the former president of FREDON Alsace, a crop protection and environment active farmer federation. He is also a board member of the regional organic growers association Bio en Grand Est. About 10 years ago, together with another wine grower and a viticulture technician he managed to register 3 different kind of pheromone dispensers for French vineyards. This brought him to be involved in CBC Biogard division France. He will always be willing to welcome a visitor on his farm to exchange ideas.
25 October 2022, Panel discussion
Feeding the growing global population while investing in the health of the planet
Karin Sartorius-Brüschweiler, Manager Life Sciences at Economic Development at Office of Economy and Labour, Canton of Basel-Stadt
Department of Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs of the Canton of Basel-Stadt
24 October 2022, Welcome note
Deepak Singhal, President – International Business Development, IPL Biologicals Ltd.
Deepak has been associated with IPL Biologicals Limited, the world technology leader in biological agri-inputs., for over 12 years. He has been responsible for turning IPL into a technology powerhouse renowned for innovation, high quality products, and customer solution-provider. After making IPL the market leader in India, he has carved out a niche for IPL in the international market as a much respected technology leader in the agri-bio space. He is currently focussed on expanding IPL into the global market through business alliances, product innovation, and effective solutions to customers via a crop-based Total Crop Management strategy.
25 October 2022, Session 2: Best practices and opportunities in biocontrol from across the world
Case study of biocontrol in India
Anne Steenbergh, Policy officer at Dutch Board for the Autorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb)
Anne is a microbial ecologist. She obtained her PhD working on microbial communities in marine sediments (Utrecht University & Netherlands Institute of Ecology). Six years ago she joined Ctgb (the Dutch Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides); first as an assessor and currently as policy officer. In these capacities she has worked on both biopesticides and conventional pesticides. As a member of the Ctgb GreenTEAM she enjoys working on any challenges related to the assessment of biopesticides.
25 October 2022, Workshop 1: Registration best practice (for IBMA members only)
Joanna Sullivan, founder and CEO of Conscience Consulting
Joanna is founder and CEO of Conscience Consulting, the trailblazer sustainability agency in Brussels, which since 2001 advises European and global institutions, business and civil society on building bridges for inclusive sustainable societies.
Joanna is passionate about connecting likeminded progressives across business, NGOs, think tanks and institutions, to build resilience against the uncertainty and complexity of global challenges. As Professor of Climate Diplomacy at the European Institute in Nice, author and speaker on sustainability engagement, and moderator of Green Deal, SDG and ESG policy debates, Joanna shares decades of knowledge and insights on sustainability leadership and inspires collaboration for good.
25 October 2022, Moderation Keynote speech and Panel discussion
Feeding the growing global population while investing in the health of the planet
Susanne Sütterlin, Head of Unit, directorate Plant Supply Chains and Food Quality at the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, The Netherlands
She is responsible for plant protection and phytosanitary issues, including propagation material and biotechnology. Working twelve years at the ministry, Susanne previously also worked for the directorates of Nature and that of Animal Supply Chains and Animal Welfare.
Susanne is a biologist by training. Her PhD concerned first steps into biological control in ornamentals. The next steps in her career included working for the area of plant resistance to pests, leading an R&D group and working with the Inspectorate for Plant Health.
In the past, Susanne represented the Netherlands internationally at the Standing Committee for Plants Animals Food and Feed within the EU, and at OECD.
26 October 2022, Session 5: Enabling and nudging policies for the transition from chemistry to biology
Dutch Agriculture Vision for 2030
Lucius Tamm, CEO of ABIM AG and Head of Crop Science Department at FiBL
Member of the Board of IBMA Switzerland
Member of Steering Committee of ABIM since the first edition of ABIM in 2006 and CEO of ABIM AG since 2020
Dr. Lucius Tamm is Head of Department of Crop Sciences at the Swiss Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in Frick. He holds a degree in agricultural engineering from ETH Zurich and has more than 25 years plant pathology R&D experience working on cereals, potatoes, grapevine and horticultural crops. Lucius has published > 100 papers and book chapters and been a partner or coordinated in EU projects since 2001. He is also guest lecturer at several universities. He leads FiBL’s R&D activities for the development of crop protection solutions and has also been involved in the development of improved registration procedures for novel plant protection products.
24 October 2022, Welcome note
25 October 2022, Poster session
26 October 2022, Chair Session 6: Food industry work in agriculture and what biocontrol can contribute
Manuele Tamò, Principal Scientist - Entomologist and Benin Country Representative, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Cotonou, Benin
Vice-President, Member of the Executive Committee of the Governing Board and Newsletter Editor, International Association of the Plant Protection Sciences (IAPPS)
Manuele (Manu) is an insect ecologist based at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Benin. Since 2008, he is also the IITA Country Representative for Benin (formerly Officer-in-charge), and as such he has been instrumental in the establishment of the Biorisk Management Facility (BIMAF) on the IITA-Benin campus, and the signing of a Host Country Agreement between the Government of Benin and IITA in 2018. As an entomologist, he keeps an active research portfolio of several projects targeting the ecology and control of insect pests in cereal-legume systems (including cowpea and maize), and vegetable systems in West Africa including Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.
Manu has been collaborating with national and international research institutes in several African countries and advanced research labs in Europe, Asia and America. Throughout his 35 years of service at IITA, he has developed and fostered excellent collaborative links with farmer organizations, community-based organizations, public and private NGOs, the private sector, and policy makers.
He has been the principal investigator of several special projects totaling in excess of US$ 14 Million. Manu has supervised 26 PhD students (5 on-going) and 19 MSc/DEA students (2 on-going). He has published over 240 written reports, including 118 Thomson-indexed journal articles, and edited 4 books.
25 October 2022, Session 2: Best practices and opportunities in biocontrol from across the world
Science-driven, nature-based plant health management for African smallholder farmers
Mark Trimmer, Managing Partner at DunhamTrimmer LLC
Mark Trimmer, Ph.D., has more than 35 years of experience in research, product development, registration, technical service, and technology licensing in the crop protection industry. Early in his career, Mark led international product development at American Cyanamid. Following the acquisition of Cyanamid by BASF, Mark continued as leader of new technology acquisitions for the agriculture division. In 2006, Mark established Trimmer Consulting providing new technology assessment, R&D strategy, regulatory, and product development services to companies in the global agricultural chemical and biological markets. Mark co-founded DunhamTrimmer in 2011 with William Dunham to provide independent market research and strategic consulting for the global biopesticide, biostimulant, and biofertilizer markets. Mark’s training is in agronomy, plant physiology, and plant pathology and he provides the primary technical inputs on all DunhamTrimmer projects. Mark currently leads the Membership Committee and serves on the Board of Directors as Board Chair for the Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA).
25 October 2022, Session 2: Best practices and opportunities in biocontrol from across the world
Biocontrol market update/analysis
Lieselot Van der Veken, PhD, Founder Pro Terra Agro
Lieselot has more than 20 years Applied Research experience in Biocontrol in Tropical Production Systems. She has been active in the Biocontrol sector (Regulatory, R&D and Business Development) and IBMA for over 12 years.
Combining broad technical knowledge of Biocontrol and Business Sustainability Management (Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership), she co-develops more sustainable production systems with farmers and interacts with stakeholders of the food value chain to facilitate the transition from extractive to regenerative food production systems. With a strong focus on tropical regions she strives to combine ecological and social sustainability gains.
25 October 2022, Session 2: Best practices and opportunities in biocontrol from across the world
Biocontrol in Bananas in Latin America and the Caribbean
Jacobijn van Etten, Project manager at Dutch Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb)
Jacobijn is an all-round expert in the area of sustainable use of natural resources. She is a Wageningen University graduate with a degree in land and water management and her previous employers include an NGO, an international research institute, local government and consultancy. Currently Jacobijn is project manager and GreenTEAM coordinator at Ctgb (the Dutch Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides). She has extensive experience with biocontrol dossiers for both substances and products. Jacobijn likes the challenges of innovative dossiers and seeks to be supportive to the green ambitions of notifiers.
25 October 2022, Workshop 1: Registration best practice (for IBMA members only)
Herman Van Mellaert, IBMA President
Starting his career as an agronomist and with a PhD in insect physiology, Herman has a solid understanding of the technical issues facing the worldwide biocontrol industry. Three years as an EU official gave him first-hand experience of how EU regulations take shape and valuable in-sight into how stakeholders can contribute to the legislative process.
Herman has also held various senior leadership positions within the European life-sciences and biocontrol industry. In his current role - as Director of Strategic Alliances at the Biobest Group – he has built successful alliances with business partners on all continents.
"The need for a more sustainable agricultural and horticultural industry, operating in harmony with a clean and biodiverse environment, has never been more pressing," says Herman Van Mellaert. Policy makers, in formulating ambitious goals - such as the European Green Deal and ‘Farm to Fork’ Strategy - show their trust in the biocontrol industry’s capacity to deliver new solutions.
"I am grateful to be given the opportunity to assist the IBMA in rising up to meet these unique challenges and opportunities. Working with all our members, together with other stakeholders and authorities, the IBMA is well placed to be the catalyst that enables our vibrant industry to deliver its full potential."
"IBMA is delighted to welcome Herman Van Mellaert to the role as President," says Jennifer Lewis, IBMA Executive Director. "His broad technical experience and insight into the regulatory process - together with proven business leadership, entrepreneurial and networking skills will be invaluable in helping IBMA deliver the very best for its members, as well as helping to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems while building back biodiversity with a neutral or positive environmental impact."
25 October 2022, Panel discussion
Feeding the growing global population while investing in the health of the planet
26 October 2022, Chair Session 5: Enabling and nudging policies for the transition from chemistry to biology
Dmytro Yakovenko, Head of International Department at BTU-CENTER
Since 2017 he developed presence of company`s products in 18 countries, including the EU, where 8 biologicals of BTU-CENTER are registered. Dmytros background is Economics (MS) and Biotechnologies (BS). With an experience of an investment analyst, he is bringing focus on economics of implementation of biologicals. He is also significantly involved in R&D and strategy of the company, leading research and trials data analysis directions. Dmytro is actively sharing BTU-CENTER “Healthy LandTM” philosophy toward large-scale implementation (> 4 mln ha for now) of biologicals for healthy and rich harvest on fertile soil.
25 October 2022, Session 1: Innovation for IPM and biocontrol
Microbial polysaccharides to improve uptake of biocontrol and not only
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