The BCPC Congress returns to the Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate, for a fourth consecutive year and will take place  26-27 November 2024. Put the dates in your diary now!

Click here to view the full programme and registration details.

Shaping the future of crop protection

With domestic agricultural policy now firmly behind driving sustainable farming practices, this years Congress delves into the various aspects of how this is shaping the future of agriculture. At a broad brush level there is the balance between ensuring we continue to produce enough nutritious food for a growing population while avoiding the impacts that a focus on this alone might have on the environment.

The government’s Sustainable Farming Incentive has provided a number of attractive options for taking land out of food production to boost biodiversity, soil health and mitigating the effects of climate change. But how will this shift in farm policy effect land use, and could it potentially be detrimental to the country’s food security?

These are the issues that will be the focus of the first morning, before the conference programme splits into two streams in the afternoon.

Stream A – Regulatory Affairs – will look at the regulatory framework that is evolving to support the adoption of the various components of integrated pest management (IPM) such as biocontrol and precision applications.

Stream B – New Approaches to Agronomy – will look at how the latest science is being put into practice, with examples such as precision application and best use of data helping reduce the reliance on chemical inputs and make 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 and the Sustainable Farming Incentive are likely to change the landscape for pesticide use in the year’s 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 and biocides in line with government policy.

In addition to the packed programme there will be plenty of opportunity to network with fellow delegates, sharing experiences and insights to apply in your own respective fields of expertise.

To discuss sponsorship or advertising opportunities, or to receive further information on the BCPC Congress 2024 programme, please complete the online form.

We look forward to seeing you at Congress 2024 in Harrogate!