France: Bayer CropScience invests massively in biological control
Frank Garnier, Director General says that ''In the next 3-5 years, we will invest a lot more into biocontrol than the turnover we make in France'', i.e. €500 million/year.
To reduce the use of chemical products farmers are turning to biocontrol, e.g. ladybirds to eliminate aphids, or micro-organisms such as bacterias and fungus which protect crops and even improve their fertility.
Mr Garnier says that in the last two years BCS has ''largely'' invested over €500 million into biocontrol worldwide, which are ''long term'' investments.
A large part of this sum was spent on buying American company Agraquest, specialised in the production of bacterias. BCS also bought German company Prophyta (fungal agents) and Argentine Bioagro (microorganisms that stimulate plant growth).
''The aim is for biocontrol to take up 5-8% of our activity between now and 2020'' says Marie-Claire Grosjean-Cournoyer, Director of Scientific Affairs.
On a global scale, biocontrol represents €2 billion, a growing 10% per year which could reach €6 billion by 2020, estimates BCS.
BCS made a €9 billion turnover in 2013. France is their 3rd most important market after the USA and Brazil.