Microbial Plant Protection Products
Task Force
About
The Task Force was created in May 2021 when the few microbial plant protection products already on the market were threatened to be taken from the market. Although these products are considered safe by the European Commission, they are required to provide data that are typical for chemical products- not for biological/microbial products.
The preamble of Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 prioritizes the use of safe low-risk biological plant protection products (PPPs) over the use of chemical pesticides. Biological PPPs, and especially microbials, are essential tools in the balanced transition toward a more sustainable and green agriculture in Europe. The European Union through the Green Deal, Farm to fork Strategy, Fit for 55 should therefore secure rapidly increasing use of microbial plant protection products. Perhaps based on misunderstanding, the opposite seems to happen. This would make the goal of cutting the use of chemical pesticides with 50% by 2030 impossible to achieve.
In the words of former Slovenian Prime Minister Alojz Peterle: both chemical and microbial plant protection products must be absolutely safe and effective, but the way to establish this is obviously scientifically different. It would be nonsensical to require producers of chemical products to table studies proving that chemicals are not pathogenic to humans and all kind of animals and plants; since chemicals are not live organisms, they cannot be. To authorize microbials through an authorization procedure for chemicals is equally nonsensical.
On 30 August 2021, top experts from scientific, regulatory, institutional and political backgrounds addressed the flawed policy that allows carcinogenic and environmentally damaging chemicals to be sold and used throughout the European Union while absolutely safe and effective microbial plant protection products can neither easily access nor stay in the EU market. They discussed the fast track option to the benefit of public health and the environment: the inclusion in the current regulation of a specific authorization procedure for microbial plant protection products only.
The Task Force for Microbial Plant Protection Products is composed of the following innovative SMEs
Biopreparáty spol. s r.o. is a Czech, R&D oriented, company founded in 1997. We are fully committed to development and introduction of original biological products in agriculture and amenity markets. Biopreparáty is the first and still the only company globally that commercializes biological fungicides based on a hyperparasitic fungus Pythium oligandrum.
We are a reliable producer of high-quality formulations of biological products defended by strong registration packages and patents in EU as well as in other territories. We bring our products to new markets via reputable partners on a long-term partnership basis. Our current core markets are mainly Europe, North Africa, Middle East, and China. We are constantly working on expanding our business into more parts of Africa, the Americas and Asia-Pacific.
OUR CORE VALUES
Entrepreneurial Spirit – We are optimistic to make fast and risk-calculated decisions. On-time execution is key and the basis for our long-term success.
Flexibility – We are fair on principal but flexible on method. We move forward quickly but are able adopt to new changes and challenges.
Customer Focused – We want to understand our customer needs, excel in our services and build up trusty and long-term relationships with our customers.
Solution Oriented – We are critically thinking people with solution-oriented mindset. We are relentless at looking for biological solutions that are in harmony with nature.
Koppert Biological Systems produces sustainable cultivation solutions for food crops and ornamental plants. Together with growers and in partnership with nature, we work to make agriculture and horticulture healthier, safer, more productive and resilient. We achieve this by using natural enemies to combat pest infestations, bumblebees for natural pollination, and biostimulants that support and strengthen the crops both above and underground. Restoring and protecting vital ecosystems in a natural way is the basis for healthy crops and a balanced environment. Add our quality know-how and consultancy services to this and you will understand why an increasing number of growers regards us as a partner with whom they can realize their ambitions.
Koppert Biological Systems contributes to better health of people and the planet. In partnership with nature, we make agriculture healthier, safer and more productive.
MISSION & VISION
We provide an integrated system of specialist knowledge and natural, safe solutions that improves crop health, resilience and production.
With roots that trace back to the 1980’s and 1990’s, Certis Biologicals has long been the legacy leader of biological solutions for commercial agriculture and the home and garden markets. With the largest portfolio of solutions for the management of pests, diseases, weeds and resistance issue, Certis Biologicals has the solutions that growers of all types need today. A pioneering pipeline of innovation means we also have the solutions ready for the issues that growers will face tomorrow. Certis Biologicals products are available in more than 50 countries around the world.
Valto is an innovative Dutch family business specialising in natural crop protection. We are constantly on the go to come up with new solutions to protect plants against viruses and other horticultural diseases. We are passionate about getting the very best out of vegetable crops. This passion led to the creation of V10, our best-known product which is used to protect tomato plants from the pepino mosaic virus.
We have extensive experience with cross-protection, and we are looking into which crops could benefit even more from this method. We expect to enter the European approval process with a number of new products, so that we can help growers even better, both within the Netherlands and beyond.
Since its foundation, e-nema GmbH has its headquarters in the northern German town of Schwentinental, which is situated very close to the university city of Kiel. The young company began producing on a laboratory scale in the tiniest of spaces using two small bioreactors and one larger bioreactor with a volume of 500 litres. Today e-nema GmbH is an successful medium-sized company with a variety of bioreactors with different capacities at its laboratory and production facilities.
Biological plant protection is a core component of what is now a global company. It not only produces insect-pathogenic nematodes, but also a range of additional biological plant protection agents based on microorganisms. In addition, the company's cutting-edge technology at its production facilities is used to produce agents using biocatalysis, which can be used in a wide variety of areas such as the cosmetics and food industry
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An international team works in the company's laboratories on continually improving processes and products as well as on developing new ideas and solutions. The team at e-nema GmbH is frequently invited to participate in international research and development projects. Through its global collaborations with countless scientific institutes, universities and research companies, e-nema GmbH has now firmly established itself in the cutting-edge biotechnology sector.
BIOGARD® is the division of CBC (Europe) Srl dealing with the development and marketing of biological plant protection products dedicated to the most diverse agricultural needs. We offer to agricultural producers in Europe a broad and effective package of biological plant protection products that includes pheromones, microorganisms and plant extracts.
At the forefront from the beginning of its activity and among the pioneers of the sector, BIOGARD® wants to distinguish itself in the development of unconventional control strategies for crops pests and diseases in compliance with the laws for the marketing of Plant Protection Products.
Lallemand group decided in 2006 to put its knowledge and technological assets in microbiology and fermentation for the agricultural world. And so was born the Lallemand Plant Care business unit, which has since grown significantly through the acquisition of companies specializing in plant bio protection and bio fertilization.
We are now one of the market leaders – developing and marketing the best microorganism strains.
In addition to its own research laboratories, the Lallemand Group has established partnerships with major universities and research centres around the world.
The aim is to study plant-microbe interactions and find the most effective natural solutions to the problems faced by today’s and tomorrow’s farmers.
Our goal is to replace chemical pesticides with good biological alternatives, such as microbial products, natural substances, beneficial insects and traps. More than 30 years ago, we started our first production of plant protection products based on baculoviruses. Today, it has been widely recognized that the use of biological control measures offers not only a solution in organic agriculture, but also a highly effective tool within integrated or conventional pest management programs for environmental friendly and residue-free food production.
