Wednesday, July 27, 2011: 8:30 AM
Grand Couteau, 5th fl (Sheraton New Orleans)
Biopesticide technology is emerging as a viable and environmentally-friendly pest management tool in agriculture. The Canadian public's demand for safer foods and concern for the environment have encouraged initiatives to develop alternatives to conventional pesticides. Banning of chemicals in urban municipalities, development of pesticide resistance in crop pests, demand for new products by organic farmers, and the recognition of hidden costs to human health and the environment are further fueling the need for biological alternatives. Health Canada has classed biopesticides as reduced risk products that are less hazardous to human health and the environment and they represent the next generation of pest control products with novel modes of action. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has invested in a strategic priority to promote the development and commercialization of this technology. This paper presents a summary of new and emerging Canadian biopesticides being developed by AAFC researchers and the novel R&D model, the biopesticide innovation chain, being use to bring this technology from discovery to industry development for commercialization and adoption.