BRITISH CROP PROTECTION COUNCIL (BCPC) WILL PUT SUSTAINABLE POTATO GROWING PRACTICES FIRMLY IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT NEXT CONGRESS
WITH domestic agricultural policy firmly behind driving sustainable potato growing practices, this year’s BCPC Congress, which returns to Harrogate’s Cedar Court Hotel on November 26th and 27th, will delve into how this is shaping food production in the UK and the potential impact on pesticide regulation and use.
The UK Government’s Sustainable Farming Incentive options for taking land out of food production to boost biodiversity, soil health and mitigate the effects of climate change have raised concerns about how this is effecting land use and potential detriment to the country’s food security.
Policy modifications are expected and will be discussed in depth during the first morning of the conference, before the programme splits into two streams in the afternoon.
Stream A, Regulatory Affairs, will look at the evolving UK crop protection regulatory landscape, including latest news from HSE/CRD, the national regulator for the UK, and possible regulatory implications of precision application.
Stream B, New Approaches to Agronomy, will look at how the latest science is being put into practice, including precision application and best use of new emerging technologies.
On the final day the future of pesticides becomes the central theme and how the Sustainable Use Directive, the National Action Plan for Pesticides (if published) and the Sustainable Farming Incentive are likely to change the landscape for pesticide use in the years ahead.
The programme will then move to the afternoon workshop, giving delegates an opportunity to provide comment and input into how HSE’s Chemical Regulation Division is looking to regulate plant protection products in line with government policy.
The event will also provide an opportunity to network with fellow delegates, share experiences and insights.
This year’s speakers include:
Dave Bench
Chief Executive
CropLife UK
Matthew Brealey
Knowledge Transfer Manager
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)
Sue Bullock
Head of Chemical Compliance, Stewardship and Sustainability
TSG
James Clarke
ADAS Research Director & Chair UK Expert Committee on Pesticides (ECP)
ADAS
Dr Henry Creissen
Director of the Institute for Agronomy and Agriculture
University of the Highlands and Islands
David Exwood
Deputy President
National Farmers Union (NFU)
Ian Graham
Complete Weed Control
Dr Chris Hartfield
Senior Regulatory Affairs Adviser
National Farmers Union (NFU)
Dr Jackie Hughes
Interim Head
Science & Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA), Scottish Government
Phil Jarvis
Chair
Voluntary Initiative, VI
David Jones
Farm Manager
Morley Farms Ltd
Dr Alistair Leake
Director – The Allerton Project
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
Jennifer Lewis
Executive Director
International Biocontrol Manufacturer Association (IBMA)
Henny Lowth
Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)
Jim Orson
Member of the BCPC Advisory Board
British Crop Production Council (BCPC)
Tony Pexton
Farmer & Advisory Board
British Crop Production Council (BCPC)
Prof Jules Pretty
Professor of Environment & Society
University of Essex
Bruce Steele
Northern Ireland representative
Voluntary Initiative (VI)
Dr Nick Tillett
Engineer
Tillett and Hague Technology Ltd
Iain Watt
Head of Plant Protection
TSG Consulting
Julian Westaway
General Manager
British Crop Production Council (BCPC)
Janet Williams
Head of Regulatory Science – UK, Ireland & Nordics
Bayer CropScience
