Government releases national biocontrol deployment strategy

Biocontrol, at the heart of the discussions following the publication by the Government of its national deployment strategy on 10 November 2020. It is co-piloted with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, as well as by the Ministry of Ecological Transition. The strategy, consisting of a series of measures in several areas, aims to consolidate, among other things, the current dynamics. It also aims to promote the design and use of biocontrol products, particularly in the service of land and agriculture. Thus, this strategy is part of research, experimentation, industrial innovation and its deployment in the field.

Deployment of biocontrol, protecting plants across France

Biocontrol brings together all the methods of plant protection that use natural mechanisms. Among the main players in biocontrol in France is Agri Sud Ouest Innovation. Based in Gradignan, it has more than 400 members and is part of the national strategy for the deployment of government biocontrol. Agri Sud Ouest Innovation wants to give more weight to the impact of competitiveness clusters, underestimated in terms of mobilization around biocontrol. Indeed, it notes a lack of recognition of the agricultural poles, key partners of the strategy.

Of the 34 objectives formulated within the strategy, they are cited only on one occasion. Thus, they accompany the SMALL and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the search for financing and assembly of applications for marketing authorisation. Their core business is above all to support companies in their innovation project.

Agricultural nature culture
Biocontrol is used to treat the cultivation of plantations.

In this way, they work with professionals in the public and private sectors in different areas of expertise. In order to support this, the projects are sanctioned by the Label Agri Sud Ouest Innovation, which guarantees the creative potential. Innovation is an integral part of its operation and has even taken a priority since its inception in 2007.

Biocontrol is quite present in regions like New Aquitaine, and more locally Bordeaux. The region, carried by the work in the vineyards, has an important potential, which could change the way of production, and especially the quality of the wine. It is with this in mind that AltFongi biocontrol works.

AltFongi, Immunrise… projects with a positive impact on crops

AltFongi impacts and protects Bordeaux vineyards. It evaluates and optimizes the strategy of protecting the vineyard by integrating as many biocontrol products as possible to combat the spread of certain diseases. For example, mildew, oidium and botytris are particularly common in vines.

In the same spirit, Immunrise Biocontrol also uses biopesticides and extract D, composed among other things of extracts of microalgae. Reduced to powder, these microalgae have fungicide properties on fungi attacking crops of agronomic importance. These include wheat, vines and market gardening.

In order to raise awareness of the use of biocontrol on productions, Agri Sud Ouest Innovation hosts events on this subject. Thus, it has already held 15 events around biocontrol, and does not intend to stop there. It also coordinates the biocontrol and biosolutions cluster for the plant and animal sectors.

In France and New Aquitaine, respect for the environment is a central issue. A recent broad energy transition aims to turn to greener renewable energy. At the same time, consumers are becoming more aware of the purchase of greener products, especially from organic farming. A way to consume better, but also to produce better.

Sources:

  1. National Biocontrol Deployment Strategy: Agri Southwest Innovation wants to recognize its contribution and that of competitiveness clusters at their fair value. South West Agri Innovation Release November 26, 2020
  2. Alt’Fongi – Experiments Vinopôle
  3. Bio-pesticides, Immunrise Biocontrol
Abonnez-vous à la Newsletter