The opening session by George Eustice MP will cover the government's latest thinking on how the UK agriculture sector will operate outside the Common Agricultural Policy and opportunities for UK food production looking for global markets.
The rest of the morning session includes:
9.40am Dr. Jon Knight, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
Problems and opportunities for UK crop protection after 2019
With the opportunity to develop a specific UK regulatory system, Dr. Knight explores the opportunity to implement radical alternatives to current practices of crop protection within the wider crop production system. The talk will highlight some of the problems to be addressed and how such an approach could be developed.
10.20am Professor Lin Field, Rothamsted Research
The story of neonicotinoids and bees - a scientist’s perspective
This presentation will cover key publications, press releases, media articles and comment since potential neonicotinoid effects on bees first gained publicity in 2012, and how these influenced the debate and EU consideration of the use of the chemistry. Professor Field will cover the April 2015 EASAC Report’s conclusions, its influence on the ban on flowering crop use - and views, including Rothamsted’s, on the proposed extension to all crops. She will conclude with the need to ensure that science is taken into account in policy decisions.
11.30am Dr. Peter Campbell, Syngenta
Recent decisions, restrictions and next steps for neonicotinoids in Europe
Dr. Campbell will provide an update on the latest developments affecting the future use of neonicotinoids in Europe, including European Court decisions, the EFSA review of restricted uses and European Commission restrictions.
12 noon Professor Steve Bradbury, Iowa State University, formerly Director of the Office of Pesticide Programs in the US Environmental Protection Agency
Optimising crop protection regulatory systems through governance and risk analysis – experience from the US
Professor Bradbury will draw upon a recent US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report on future products of biotechnology and case studies of pesticide risk analyses to provide perspectives for employing human health and environmental risk-benefit analyses to inform regulatory decisions.
A discounted half-day rate of £160 (ex VAT) is available for farmers and advisers. Visit the BCPC Congress website for more information.