Field Tours 2026: See Your North Zone Trials in Person

Today, shaping the future of crop production and plant protection means expanding and utilizing knowledge about how biocontrol and factors influencing crop health along with soil biota can support crop production. The soil microbiome and how it directly or indirectly interacts with crops is essential to crop health and is a key factor in protecting soil health and governing yield and crop productivity.

On December 5th, 2024, we celebrate World Soil Day, a global initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The theme of the 10th anniversary of World Soil Day is “Caring for soils – measure, monitor, manage”, which in many ways reflects ongoing development in the crop protection area.

At Agrolab, we are proud of our 40+ years of experience in testing and supporting the registration of plant protection products and biostimulants in the EU northern regulatory zone. We are excited to follow the investments and research into leveraging soil microbiota and soil health in the implementation of biosolutions in crop production.

As a contract research organisation, we are happy to see the collaborative efforts in the northern zone to tackle the challenges in risk assessment and support the regulatory approval process on a European scale.

And things are indeed busy in the north.

A key example is the EMBARQ project (Evaluating Microbiome-Based Applications for Risk Quantification), which recently received a DKK 60 million grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation. Led by Professor Søren Sørensen from the Institute of Biology of University of Copenhagen, EMBARQ addresses the critical gap in risk assessment methods for microbiome-based biosolutions, such as biofertilizers and biopesticides, essential for sustainable agriculture.

Current regulatory frameworks often delay the approval process. EMBARQ aims to develop tools to better assess the health and environmental impacts of microbiome applications using advanced technologies like DNA sequencing, bioinformatics, and AI.

On World Soil Day, as we reflect on the importance of preserving and enhancing soil health for sustainable agriculture, we asked Søren Sørensen to share his perspective on how EMBARQ’s ambitions to develop innovative risk assessment tools could pave the way for approving microbiological biosolutions and advancing crop protection practices:

"The EMBARQ project stands at the forefront of transforming how we assess and approve microbiological biosolutions. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as environmental DNA sequencing and AI-driven analysis, EMBARQ introduces innovative tools for risk quantification. These tools go beyond traditional methods, allowing for precise tracking of biological agents in the environment and calibrating risks against natural microbial fluctuations. 

Another very noteworthy development is the recent release of the report “Biosolutions – Regulatory Sandboxes as a tool to break down regulatory barriers ” by Professor, Dr. Juris Linda Nielsen proposing to launch a regulatory sandbox within plant protection products is another interesting development opening up new opportunities to address the regulatory approach to biosolutions in new ways.

These initiatives are well-positioned to make a significant impact on the approval process of biocontrol products.

As our CEO, Kenneth Sørensen states: "It is a truly exciting time to be in the plant protection product consulting and service industry. Our ambition is that with the expanded knowledge of soil microorganisms and developments of new risk assessment methods and the creation of regulatory sandboxes new regulatory tools and field trial methodology will also be available in the CRO part of the supply chain".

Agrolab is excited to announce our participation in the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) 2024, taking place in Basel, Switzerland from October 21-23. This event is the premier gathering for the biocontrol industry, with over 1,800 delegates from 58 countries and more than 150 exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations and research in biocontrol solutions.

At ABIM 2024, Agrolab will be represented by Sales Manager, Alex Schwartz and Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Jakob J. Knudsen. They are eager to explore new developments and challenges related to biocontrol products, particularly in regulatory compliance and field trials for biopesticides and other ‘bio’ products.

Attending ABIM provides an unique opportunity to:

• Network with key stakeholders in the biocontrol industry.
• Discuss regulatory challenges in biocontrol product registration.
• Explore new field research opportunities for biopesticides.
• Stay up-to-date on the latest regulatory changes and product innovations.

What to Expect at ABIM 2024:

• Over 1,800 attendees from across the globe.
• A diverse exhibition with more than 150 exhibitors.
• A packed program featuring innovations in biocontrol.

Agrolab’s Focus at ABIM 2024:

Our team is particularly looking forward to engaging with fellow industry experts to discuss regulatory and field challenges in the development and application of biological control products. In addition, we aim to exchange insights on how these products can play a pivotal role in sustainable agriculture.

If you’re attending ABIM 2024, be sure to connect with Alex and Jakob to discuss how Agrolab can support your biocontrol projects through field trials, regulatory consulting, and product development.

For more information about ABIM 2024, visit their official website.

Join us in Basel as we explore new opportunities and innovations in agricultural research.