Webinar Revisited: The Way Forward for Plant Protection - Agricultural Research in Horizon Europe
Explore key themes of the recent webinar ,The Way Forward for Plant Protection – Agricultural Research in Horizon Europe’. This blog provides you with an overview of the webinar on Integrated Pest Management Strategies and offers the full webinar recording. Gain valuable insights from leading experts in sustainable agriculture.
On March 4, 2025, an highly insightful webinar titled ‘The Way Forward for Plant Protection – Agricultural Research in Horizon Europe’ brought together four EU projects — NextGenBioPest, BIOVEXO, SAGROPIA, and VIRTIGATION — for a vibrant and collaborative cluster event. This digital gathering provided an invaluable platform to share cutting-edge insights into innovative Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies and the latest advancements in mitigating crop diseases through sustainable approaches.
The webinar saw diverse stakeholders converge, including researchers, policymakers, agricultural professionals, and industry representatives, to discuss the challenges and opportunities in modern crop protection. It offered an enlightening glimpse into the future of plant protection under the Horizon Europe framework, emphasizing sustainability and innovation.
A Distinguished Guest: The European Commission’s Perspective
The event was honoured by the presence of Mrs. Gisela QUAGLIA, EU Research Officer at DG Agri of the European Commission. Representing the European Commission, Mrs. Quaglia delivered an insightful presentation on the EU’s strategic approach to Research and Innovation (R&I) in crop protection. She highlighted the EU’s commitment to fostering sustainable agriculture through robust R&I frameworks, underscoring the critical role of IPM in achieving these goals.
Her address set the stage for an enriching discussion, emphasizing the importance of cross-collaboration among EU projects and stakeholders to accelerate advancements in sustainable agricultural practices.
Spotlight on BIOVEXO: Biocontrol Innovations in Action
Among the standout presentations, Dr. Pasquale SALDARELLI, Senior Researcher at CNR and a pivotal figure in IPM strategies within the BIOVEXO project, took the spotlight with his compelling talk titled ‘Biocontrol Innovations for Combating Xylella fastidiosa’. Xylella fastidiosa, a devastating plant pathogen, poses significant threats to Europe’s agricultural landscape, particularly olive and almond production. Dr. Saldarelli outlined BIOVEXO’s groundbreaking work in developing biological control measures to address this critical challenge.
The presentation delved into innovative strategies that leverage natural biocontrol agents to mitigate the spread of Xylella fastidiosa, demonstrating the potential of these solutions to revolutionize pest management while adhering to sustainability principles. It was a testament to the remarkable progress made under BIOVEXO and its partners in the pursuit of environmentally friendly crop protection.
Expert Roundtable: A Hub for Collaboration and Dialogue
Following the project presentations, the webinar transitioned to an engaging Expert Roundtable Discussion. This interactive session brought together, on the one hand side, experts from the hosting projects and, on the other hand, a great variety of stakeholders from the audience allowing for an exchange of perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in Integrated Pest Management. The roundtable fostered an atmosphere of open dialogue, encouraging participants to share ideas, pose questions, and explore collaborative pathways toward advancing sustainable agricultural practices.
The discussions highlighted the importance of continued innovation, knowledge sharing, and a united approach to overcoming crop protection challenges in Europe. The roundtable proved to be a fruitful conclusion to an already enlightening event.
A Chance to Revisit the Webinar
Stay Connected with BIOVEXO
As the world of plant protection evolves, the BIOVEXO project remains at the forefront of innovation in sustainable pest management. This webinar showcased the astonishing progress being made in Integrated Pest Management and sustainable crop protection under Horizon Europe. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for a greener, more sustainable agricultural future. Let’s continue to support and follow these endeavours as they pave the way forward for plant protection.
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