Andermatt Biocontrol has received this year's Bernard Blum Award for their latest baculovirus product, Tutavir. The Bernard Blum Award is granted annually for a biocontrol product which provides an effective solution in the management of pests or diseases while having a low impact on human health and the environment.
Tutavir is a biological insecticide based on Phtorimaea operculella granulovirus for the control of the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta), an invasive pest in tomato production in Europe, Africa and Asia. Tutavir is the result of international cooperation between research and industry. As a member of the EU project BIOCOMES, Andermatt Biocontrol took the lead to develop a biological solution against this insect pest.
"Through several years of development we identified the most suitable isolate, created a stable formulation and defined suitable application strategies. This has resulted in an innovative product that provides a highly specific solution for integrated pest management in tomatoes", Philip Kessler, Director International Market Development at the company, says.
"To fulfil consumers demand for no or low residue produce, modern crop management strategies in tomato now include soft pest control programs that include the use of beneficial insects for pollination and insect control. Tutavir fully complements these strategies with high performance and no effect on non-targets.
"The Bernard Blum award is very much appreciated by Andermatt Biocontrol, and we wish to share this accomplishment with all our partners who contributed to this success with their amazing commitment. We accept this year's award with great pride and it provides us with increased motivation to work even harder for a healthy food production in a heathy environment, for all."
For more information:
Andermatt Biocontrol
Stahlermatten 6
6146 Grossdietwil
Switzerland
Tel. +41 62 917 51 25
Fax +41 62 917 50 06
contact@biocontrol.ch
www.andermattbiocontrol.com