DAY TWO: Regulation & Commercialization
Demystify the US regulatory pathway for biopesticides, from FIFRA requirements to EPA approval timelines
Compare the US system to Brazil's streamlined approach and Europe's challenges, highlighting opportunities for improvement
Explore regulatory strategies for complex products: microbial mixtures, peptides, and RNAi technologies
Discuss data requirements, risk assessment approaches, and how to build a compelling regulatory dossier
Whilst Brazil revolutionised biocontrol approvals with 12-18 month timelines through federal harmonisation, the USA presents a stark contrast: 50 different state regulations, 50 different laws, and NO federal definition for biostimulants. This panel brings together regulatory experts from both regions to reveal what the USA can learn from LATAM's policy success—and the practical strategies biocontrol companies need to navigate America's fragmented regulatory maze.
Key Discussion Points:
USA's Regulatory Reality: Multi-state market access strategies, hidden costs of regulatory inconsistency, and what the industry desperately needs from policymakers
LATAM's Success Story: How Brazil's streamlined regulatory framework accelerated biocontrol adoption and what policy alignment with producers looks like in practice
Comparative Intelligence: Actionable insights for companies operating across both markets—from EPA navigation to leveraging Brazil's 12-18 month advantage
Future Vision: What regulatory harmonisation could mean for USA biocontrol innovation and competitiveness
Address the manufacturing challenges of mass-producing living organisms at commercial scale
Explore quality control, consistency, and cost-effectiveness in biocontrol production
Discuss what data convinces farmers, retailers, and regulators that biocontrol products work
Examine trial design, statistical approaches, and communicating results effectively
Explore successful partnership models between academia, start-ups, and established ag companies
Discuss licensing agreements, co-development strategies, and maintaining innovation while scaling
Provide insights into what venture capital, strategic investors, and grant programmes look for in biocontrol ventures
Discuss valuation, milestones, and building investor confidence in biological solutions
Hear directly from California farmers about their experiences with biocontrol: successes, failures, and lessons learned
Discuss practical considerations including cost, ease of use, and integration with existing practices
Examine the psychological, economic, and practical barriers preventing wider biocontrol adoption
Discuss strategies to build farmer confidence, demonstrate ROI, and simplify decision-making
Envision California agriculture in 2035: integrated pest management, reduced chemical reliance, and thriving biocontrol markets
Discuss policy support, education needs, and infrastructure development to accelerate the transition