France 2030: signature of an agreement between the SGPI, the DGAL and ANSES to boost the development of biocontrol products in France
At the Paris International Agricultural Show, Bruno Bonnell, Secretary General for Investment with responsibility for France 2030, Maud Faipoux, Director General for Food and Benoit Vallet, Director General of ANSES, signed an agreement reaffirming their commitment to support the development of biocontrol plant protection products in France.
As part of the implementation of the France 2030 investment plan, which is devoting more than €1.8 billion to innovation in support of healthy, sustainable and traceable food, the General Secretariat for Investment (SGPI), the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty's General Directorate for Food (DGAL) and the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) have committed to promote the emergence and deployment of biocontrol products from companies supported by France 2030.
Several priority actions to support project sponsors will be implemented from 2025, particularly within France 2030's "Biocontrol and biostimulation for agroecology" major challenge – led by the Biocontrol and Biostimulation Association for Agroecology (ABBA), which has 130 members. These actions include the following:
- Creation of a resource centre and teaching materials on regulations and funding for new entrants such as spin-offs and France 2030 award winners: ABBA will run webinar sessions on topics of interest, particularly regulations.
- Introduction of an à la carte individual support measure for project sponsors who have demonstrated the benefits of their innovation with an in situ proof of concept, to enable them to conduct the very first technical and experimental regulatory studies needed for applications for European approval of active substances or national marketing authorisation for products.
- Carrying out annual trend studies to identify project sponsors applying for marketing authorisations for biocontrol products, and a prospective study to identify the needs of project sponsors (technological innovations, French and European regulatory frameworks) and the types of potential business models.
In addition, ANSES has undertaken to highlight and disseminate information on changes in the instructions it publishes that may have an impact on the biocontrol industries – as applicants for authorisation of biocontrol products – in their relations with ANSES. The Agency also reiterates its commitment regarding processing times for these applications.
Lastly, the Ministry of Agriculture has committed to promote and support the use of biocontrol products as alternatives to conventional plant protection products, and to participate in the European Commission's work to improve how the concept of biocontrol is taken into account at European level. It will also make proposals to speed up the marketing of these solutions and facilitate their deployment.
The agreement will be monitored regularly, and a progress report will be organised after one year in conjunction with biocontrol stakeholders.
Biocontrol brings together various solutions based on mechanisms and interactions existing in nature and designed to protect plants against various diseases, insects and pests (such as slugs), as well as weeds. These alternative methods are sometimes used alone, but most often in combination with other agronomic techniques (monitoring, crop rotation, mechanical work, etc.) or innovations such as robotics, genetic selection, decision-support tools, etc.
About the France 2030 investment plan
- It has a dual ambition: to sustainably transform key sectors of our economy (health, energy, automotive, aeronautics and space industries) through technological innovation, and to position France not just as a participant, but as a leader in shaping the world of tomorrow. From fundamental research to the emergence of an idea and the production of a new product or service, France 2030 supports the entire innovation lifecycle up to its industrialisation.
- It is unprecedented in scale: €54 billion will be invested to ensure that our businesses, universities and research organisations successfully navigate transitions in these strategic industries.
The goal: to enable them to respond competitively to the ecological and attractiveness challenges of the future and to foster the emergence of future leaders in our fields of excellence. France 2030 is defined by two overarching objectives: dedicating 50% of its expenditures to decarbonising the economy and 50% to emerging actors driving innovation, without any spending detrimental to the environment (in line with the "Do No Significant Harm" principle).
- It is implemented collectively: designed and deployed in consultation with economic, academic, local and European stakeholders to define strategic directions and flagship actions. Project leaders are invited to submit their proposals through open, rigorous and selective procedures to benefit from State support.
- It is overseen by the General Secretariat for Investment on behalf of the Prime Minister and implemented by the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME), the National Research Agency (ANR), Bpifrance and the Banque des Territoires (CDC).
More information from: https://www.gouvernement.fr/france-2030 | @SGPI_avenir