AGROCHEMICALS
any resulting residue levels . Applied post-harvest , biocontrols can even extend the shelf life of fresh fruits , vegetables and nuts – reducing food waste and lessening the environmental impact even further .
A new food protection era
So , why are biocontrols not used everywhere ? Farmers who have been using the same processes for hundreds of years may need reassurance that these changes will not impact their livelihood . Technology may be advancing at the speed of light , but agriculture has been slow to adopt .
Additionally , while the call to substantially reduce chemical usage in the decades ahead is clear , regulatory roadblocks often hinder the new era of biobased agricultural innovation they are championing . Current biobased protection regulations can lead to a backlog of biological products .
As these are all based on new scientific advances , it is understandable that we need to follow an in-depth review by regulators . We should remember , they were burned once before by ‘ safe ’ chemical solutions of the past .
As new biocontrols prove their efficacy and safety , Biotalys ’ first protein-based biofungicide for instance , they will pave the way for future innovations and streamline the time it takes for regulators to review and approve similar solutions .
We should not discount the 100 + years of study we have had on the impact of chemistry on soils , our environment , water , etc . Learning from and building on those lessons , we need to clearly demonstrate the immediate and long-term impact of biobased products , as well as any indirect effects .
We have the ability to make new solutions work as good as , or better than , the chemical solutions of the past . That takes into account not only which solution to use , but how much , when and on which plant ( s ). Unlike our chemical ancestors , the true measure of success for the biocontrol solutions of the future will not be how many millions of acres they can claim , but how targeted and successful they can be at treating precise issues with no negative impact on the surrounding plants or environment .
Protein-based biocontrols provide a win-win : the reliability and consistency needed for yield management but have the safety profile of biologicals . As we usher in a new food protection era , Biotalys is proud to be at the forefront of reducing chemical pesticide , in line with European Green Deal targets , and helping to enable growers to create more sustainable products that meet consumers ’ demands and environmental sustainability goals .
It took a global pandemic to embrace immunisation breakthroughs and a sizable hole in the ozone to take chlorofluorocarbons seriously . Hopefully , it will not take another Irish Potato Famine to accelerate the needed agricultural system advances . ●
Patrice Sellès
CEO
BIOTALYS
J j info @ biotalys . com www . biotalys . com
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