Dr. Mark Palmer contributes to EBIC Summit 2024

On 13th June, The European Biostimulants Industry Council (EBIC) brought together the biostimulant industry and agrifood stakeholders at its annual Summit for 2024. The event, made up of keynotes, panels, roundtables and other addresses, aimed to generate collaboration for the benefit of growers and the wider agrifood industry. Managing Director Dr. Mark Palmer attended in his role as Co-Leader of EBIC’s Agronomy Project Team. He took part in one of two parallel roundtables, “Managing risk from climate”, alongside Pascal Forrer, AIAG, Ana Rocha, European Landowners’ Organisation, Moshi Berenstein, European Irrigation Association (EIA) and Netafim France and César González, Manager Public Affairs at Euroseeds.

During the roundtable, Mark raised the vital role biostimulants play in creating resilience and how essential they are for sustainable farming. It was noted that growers are showing great ingenuity and a willingness to move with the times, but that the ongoing stress caused by extreme weather events and climate change are making it increasingly difficult to do so.

Mark said, “The entire Summit, as well as our roundtable, stressed the need for collaboration across the entire agrifood chain to ensure resilience despite ongoing volatility. We have faced crises before in the industry, thinking back to the COVID pandemic for example, so we know we can pull together, collaborate and problem solve when we need to. There is no sense in pretending we are not facing further crises now. As was said on the day, ‘it’s not a question of ‘if’, but of ‘when’ and ‘what’.’ Now is the time to look at all solutions and come together to ensure they are used. Biostimulants offer a sustainable, affordable and effective alternative to farmers. They have been proven to do so in a variety of conditions, on a range of crops, in numerous countries. Now is the time to arm them with the information and tools they need, not just to survive, but to thrive under the new crises they face. We can make sure that happens if we all pull together.”

The day resulted in new connections as well as the development of existing ones, and Mark will continue to explore these, both on behalf of IntraCrop and in his role for the EBIC Project Team to drive the future of the industry forward.

17th June 2024