2021 is shaping up to be a year of great transformation. For agriculture, at the heart of this is a rethinking of practices to deliver healthy, productive and safe farming, in ways that support and restore our soils and biodiversity.

This reframing of nature-positive agriculture opens doors for new farm practices – not least the use of biocontrol within integrated pest management, with its potential to reduce pesticide use and promote positive sustainability impacts.

But, what are the real benefits and opportunities of biocontrol for farming and the environment? And what barriers and challenges do we face in adopting new products, practices and technologies?

Ahead of this year’s landmark food systems summit, Forum for the Future, the leading international sustainability non-profit, is hosting a ‘Food System Summit Dialogue’ in partnership with the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association, to explore these questions.

The workshop is deeply relevant to anyone connected with agriculture, whether you are a farmer, advisor, crop protection or biodiversity specialist. We are particularly interested in the European region (EU, UK and other Non EU) and arable systems, but welcome insights from across sectors.

We particularly want to engage food companies and biocontrol suppliers together, to understand farmers’ and corporates’ perspectives, and identify ways forward that will deliver for biodiversity and the environment.

With insights from leading companies, growers and agricultural experts, we will explore:

• Can biocontrol support the transformation to agricultural practices that are nature and environment positive?
• What approaches to pest and disease control can maximise biodiversity?
• What is the perspective of farmers, and where do they see opportunities and barriers?
• How does this align to corporate strategies and ambitions for food businesses and suppliers?
• What opportunities are there for further adoption of biocontrol, and what barriers are impeding its use?
• What recommendations for further action are needed?

The workshop will present a panel session followed by discussion and Q&A. Its outputs will be summarised into a contribution to the Food System Summit Dialogues. Chatham House rules apply throughout.