Event
BCPC Congress 2024 – Shaping the Future of Crop Protection
The BCPC Congress provides a unique opportunity to focus on several key themes surrounding sustainability and agriculture. This year’s event, entitled ‘Shaping the Future of Crop Protection’ will delve into how domestic agricultural policy is shaping sustainable farming practices, food production in the UK and the potential impact on pesticide regulation and use. At a broad-brush level there is the balance between ensuring we produce enough nutritious food for a growing population while minimising the impact that a focus on this alone might have on the environment.
The government’s Sustainable Farming Incentive has provided several attractive options for taking land out of food production to boost biodiversity, soil health and mitigating the effects of climate change. But how is this effecting land use, and could it potentially be detrimental to the country’s food security? Will the change of government result in a further modification of policy?
Day one will start with a plenary session, chaired by Tony Pexton (BCPC Advisory Board & Farmer), on balancing environmental and human health protection versus food production. Following this, will be presentations on sustainable farming practices, opportunities for wildlife and crop production, with speakers including: Professor Jules Pretty (University of Sussex), Dr Alistair Leake (Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust), David Exwood (NFU), and Dave Bench (CropLife UK).
The afternoon parallel sessions will cover a) current regulatory issues for pesticides chaired by Iain Watt (TSG Consulting) and b) new approaches in agronomy chaired by Henry Creissen (University of the Highlands and Islands). The afternoon will see speakers form government bodies including HSE CRD and Defra, in addition to industry representatives such as AHDB. This discussion forum will involve plenary presenters and will allow delegates and speakers to share ideas on how science and technology can support growers in providing profitable and environmentally sustainable food production in the future.
The second day begins by looking at issues impacting future pesticide use, with speakers including: Jennifer Lewis (IBMA), Bruce Steele (Voluntary Initiative, VI), Phil Jarvis (Voluntary Initiative, VI), James Clarke (ECP), Dr Jackie Hughes (SASA, Scottish Government) and Caroline Nicholls (Defra). The afternoon workshop session is organised and run by HSE Chemicals Regulation Division.
*Offer A 10% discount off the registration fee is offered to all Agricology users, accessed by using the code ADR24*
