An aggressive campaign is being waged on all sides to reduce or even eliminate the use of pesticides, which have provided the basis for significantly improved agricultural output and undeniable advances in public health. These synthetic products carry a heavy liability because of their harmful impact on the environment, biodiversity and public health. In France, the ECOPHYTO 2018 plan calls for pesticide use to be reduced by half between now and 2018. Is that possible?

The fact is, we are witnessing a fundamental change in our concept of plant protection. Rather than attempt to eradicate bio-aggressors, the focus today is on integrated, inexpensive methods for improving plant health. In this new approach, biological methods of plant protection play a key role. They include micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses and mushrooms), macro-organisms (insects and nematodes), chemical and biological mediators (pheromones, elicitors, SAR, etc.) and products of natural origin (algae extracts, etc.) that exist in nature and can be used to mitigate the undesirable effects of bio-aggressors and improve vegetation without posing a risk to health and the environment.

Their discovery is the result of an intensive effort over the past fifty years (valued at 6.5 billion euros, according to OECD estimates) by a large number of research institutions worldwide. At first, their use was confined to specific applications: government programmes for addressing critical challenges (mosquitoes, locusts, forest pests), especially sensitive farm production (commercial vegetable growing, gardens, etc.). A specialized industry gradually emerged, initially made up of very small companies (often spun off from research institutes) that were quickly taken over by powerful Japanese financial groups (Mitsui, Sumitomo), which now control 80% of the market. Over the past five years, employment in this field has grown by 15% annually and now accounts for 3.5% of the industry total. Biocontrol products are expected to meet 20% to 25% of plant protection needs (representing a €15 billion market) by 2010, replacing the use of pesticides. This prospect has captured the attention of major chemical companies, and BASF, Bayer and Syngenta among other European firms are readying their forces. Not only must new equipment be designed that is suitable for large crops, but substantial progress remains in developing both formulations that are specific to these (often living) products and, more important, appropriate technology for their application.

Against this backdrop, France appears to be lagging behind and indeed has scarcely begun to make a contribution. France’s Directorate General of Food (DGAL) plans to lend its support for biocontrol products, following the lead of the European Commission, but the country’s institute for agricultural research, the INRA, as well as its technological institutes and even agricultural organizations are slowing the momentum, citing the risk of lost harvests. Some of the larger cooperatives (such as In Vivo and Terrena) understand the issues at stake and are taking direct action by investing in the production of resources for biological plant protection (Biotop, Agrauxine, etc.). A major new industry is becoming established; will France be able to keep pace with its competitors?
 

Bernard J. Blum
Correspondent, French Society of Agriculture
1st Chairman and Director of International Affairs, International Biocontrols Manufacturers’ Association (IBMA)
Formerly Global Marketing Director, Ciba Geigy, SA, Basel, Switzerland