Important fact here: “Europe lags behind in reaping the benefits that biological control can bring to its economy. The approval and authorisation process of biocontrol in the EU takes up to 10 years in the EU, compared to up to 3 years in other major markets. Such a long authorisation process leads to a low return on investment, making Europe the least attractive region to submit biocontrol globally.” Consequence: Farmers in Europe are deprived the alternatives they need to move away from pesticides. Nature and biodiversity continue to suffer. Soils cannot start to regenerate. Farmers are locked into pesticides, despite wanting to escape. Next steps: A positive agenda of farming for food security, starts with unlocking biological control. A new EU law on biological farming will support food systems change, nature regeneration and climate security. And give all farmers a better future. #biologyisbetter #biocontrol
The Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture is ongoing, with the next meeting scheduled later this month. Last week, we issued our input to the dialogue, sharing how we can best support farmers and agriculture in an age of technological innovation. Here are some of our key points… 👩🏼🌾 If we want farmers to continue being profitable while operating more sustainably, they need access to credible and effective tools, such as #Biocontrol: natural alternatives proven to control pests and diseases on crops. 💶 To successfully access these tools, farmers need incentives and financial support through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). 💡 Better bridges need to be built between knowledge and innovation, to provide a better understanding of the opportunities available to transition to #SustainableAgriculture. 🍎 Consumers should know more about the benefits of biocontrol to help inform their decision-making when buying produce. This could be achieved by farm certification schemes as well as publicly funded awareness-raising campaigns. The world is moving towards more biological approaches to pest and disease control, but the EU continues to lag behind, with slower authorisation and market access for biocontrol products. We have the tools, but the EU needs to take action to support sustainable agriculture methods like biocontrol. Read our full input to the Strategic Dialogue: https://lnkd.in/eRMYqskX #Biologicals #Agriculture #Farmers #Environment #FutureofAgriculture