Expert’s Forum translates collaboration needs into concrete actions
March 2025
EBIC Project Teams turn thought into action at Expert’s Forum
On 19th March 2025, EBIC held its Expert’s Forum in Brussels. The event brought together industry leaders, experts, regulators and EBIC members to discuss how biostimulants can drive sustainable agriculture, how we can gain better regulatory clarity in the EU, and brainstorming new ways to support improved access to market for biostimulants in Europe.
Key topics on the agenda were: regulatory and policy challenges shaping the sector; how best to increase collaboration between EBIC’s various project teams for maximum impact; sustainability trends affecting biostimulant adoption; and how to encourage better market access for EBIC members.
The attendees had the privilege of hearing from Theodora Nikolakopoulou, DG GROW, who shared insights on ongoing implementation work related to the EU Fertilising Products Regulation. Key takeaways included: that CEN standards on plant biostimulants are currently under evaluation for citation in the Official Journal of the EU to grant presumption of conformity; technical studies are currently underway on the expansion of component materials; and that following the submission of the inception report to the European Commission, the calendar for consultations, questionnaires, and interviews for the FPR evaluation will be made public soon. Theodora also answered member questions on future developments for plant biostimulants containing microorganisms, which was a particularly important point of discussion throughout the day.
Project Team meetings at the Expert’s Forum
All of our Project Teams met to discuss key factors influencing their work plans, with members given the opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions on direction of travel and priorities. The Project Teams, populated by EBIC members and supported by consultants from the secretariat, work to achieve EBIC’s vision and the aims of the Mid-Term Strategy. Harmonising regulations remains EBIC’s top priority, but it is now part of a broader strategy. Stakeholder engagement is integral to this approach. A central goal is to increase global awareness of the vital role biostimulants play in addressing soil health, food security, and climate change, and identify allies to help biostimulants to overcome regulatory sticking points. To achieve this, EBIC must amplify its voice, enhance its visibility, and establish itself as a leading authority in the field.
The day’s plenary session focused on how EBIC’s project teams can work smarter together to tackle key regulatory, market access, and scale-up challenges facing biostimulants, especially on data collection and message development.
It was much more than just a discussion, with solid plans and clear next steps found to align our efforts, collaborate effectively and drive meaningful action in the months ahead. From advocacy to regulatory engagement, we’re ensuring that our work continues to deliver real impact for the biostimulants sector and European farmers.
EBIC will now create an ad-hoc task force to drive its input to the FPR evaluation and to survey members to capture critical issues and ensure coherence in its positioning. Our teams will also focus energy on engaging with DEFRA with a view to contributing to UK regulation of fertilising products. We have also developed a range of targeted actions for public affairs to support the access to market of microbial plant biostimulants in particular.
If you are working in the sector would like to have your voice heard as we push for regulatory change, it is important that you consider EBIC Membership. You can find out how to join and what this entails here.
Who are the EBIC PTs?
Public Affairs PT
Co-Leaders: Kevin Bosc (Corteva) & Nicolas Willaume (ICL Group)
Works to align messaging on biostimulants with EU political priorities, engaging policymakers and stakeholders to create a supportive regulatory and policy environment.
PT Communications
Co-Leaders: Miguel Rodríguez-Villa Forster (AlgaEnergy) & Arnas Grigaliūnas (Bioversio)
Develops strategic communications tailored to various stakeholders to advocate for biostimulants and provide messaging support for all other PTs.
Agronomy PT
Co-Leaders: Elisabete Viegas (Acadian Plant Health) & Oscar Goni (Brandon Bioscience)
Develops industry-wide tools and data to demonstrate the practical benefits of biostimulants, supporting their adoption in sustainable agriculture.
Microbials PT
Co-Leaders: Charlotte Klank (Aphea.Bio) & Jan Verhaert (Bayer CropScience)
Advocates for a predictable, open system for placing microbial plant biostimulants on the EU market.
Animal By-Products PT
Co-Leaders: Andrea Biasci (Huber AgroSolutions) & Quentin Royer (BCF Life Science)
Works to clarify regulatory pathways for biostimulants containing component materials derived from animal by-products (ABPs), supporting their role in circular and sustainable agriculture.
Phosphites PT
Co-Leaders: Anna Fontana (Huber AgroSolutions) & Neal Sanders (IntraCrop)
Engages with regulators and industry partners to support the recognition of phosphites as components of biostimulants, ensuring clarity in EU rules.
REACH+ PT
Co-Leaders: François Victor Harpillard (TIMAC AGRO, Groupe Roullier) & Sara Tormo (Rovensa Next)
Advocates for the REACH cross-references in the Fertilising Products Regulation (FPR) to be aligned with the normal requirements of the EU’s chemical legislation.