David Barton presents insights into EU regulation at SPEL workshop
November 2024
This week, David Barton has presented at the Hellenic Fertilizers Association (SPEL) workshop in Athens to share essential updates on biostimulant regulation in Europe. His talk, titled “Biostimulant Regulation in Europe: Critical Updates and Vital Information on the Regulatory Landscape,” addressed the evolving regulatory framework under the Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) and provided insights into practical aspects of navigating compliance and conformity.
David began by discussing the FPR and Conformity Assessment, delving into recent updates to the Component Material Categories (CMC), specifically CMC 10 and CMC 7, which are key for companies looking to navigate the regulatory requirements in the European biostimulant market. He emphasised the importance of staying informed on regulatory advancements to streamline market entry and ensure compliance.
A key focus of David’s presentation was the role of EBIC, where he highlighted its commitment to supporting members with resources and tools to navigate the complex regulatory landscape. He also introduced the EBIC Manifesto, which is actively pushing for policy changes to support biostimulants in sustainable agriculture.
“EBIC is here to provide members with the tools, resources, and guidance they need to manage regulatory requirements,” David stated, reinforcing the council’s dedication to driving progress in the industry, “EBIC is dedicated to fostering the growth, development, and fair regulation of the biostimulant industry. We view plant biostimulants as essential to the future of sustainable food systems and support this through education, advocacy, and collaboration. By engaging at events such as these, we can work to ensure that those involved in biostimulants understand the regulatory framework and collaborate as an industry to influence agricultural practices and promote resilient food systems across Europe.”
David highlighted EBIC’s evolving mission, which is increasingly focused on market development beyond policy advocacy. This shift reflects EBIC’s intention to boost industry growth and engage the full agrifood value chain, from producers to consumers. By fostering awareness and adoption, EBIC aims to establish biostimulants as a key component in sustainable agriculture, a message resonating strongly with stakeholders at the event.
In closing, David shared news of upcoming industry events, such as the Biostimulants World Congress 2024 in Miami, co-hosted by EBIC and Informa, and the EBIC Summit scheduled for Brussels in 2025. These gatherings will bring together leaders across the agrifood sector to explore biostimulant innovations and their role in sustainable food systems, marking significant opportunities for industry collaboration and insight-sharing.
David and the EBIC team extend our gratitude to SPEL for hosting the workshop and fostering an important dialogue on the future of biostimulants and fertilisers in Europe. With the strong engagement of attendees both in-person and online, the event underscored the shared commitment to advancing sustainable and resilient agricultural practices through regulatory progress and innovation.