We are adding speakers' names to the programme as they are confirmed. Please check back regularly for updates.
There will be a welcome reception and cocktail evening on 11th June from 18:30 to 20:30.
KEYNOTE: Global Change: Renaissance or Storm?
Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development, Oxford University, Former Vice President and Head of Policy, World Bank and former policy advisor to Nelson Mandela
Welcome from EBIC President
Carlos Rodríguez-Villa Förster
Plenary 1: Rethinking EU agrifood policy to boost competitiveness
Achieving competitive and sustainable agriculture: insights from one entrepreneur’s journey,
Giuseppe Natale, Co-Founder Valagro, Board Member Hubruzzo, Co-Founder, Vedalia
Followed by a moderated discussion with Giuseppe Natale and Paul Mullins, Director, Broadoak Ventures and Co-Founder of Brandon Products
Including audience Q&A
Plenary 2: Enhanced farmer toolboxes: Key to sustainable and competitive agriculture
Mark Palmer, Commercial Director, IntraCrop, and Co-Chair of EBIC's Mid-Term Strategy Steering Group
Paula de Vera, Senior Policy Advisor, Copa-Cogeca
Nicolas Willaume, Global Advocacy Manager at ICL Group and Vice President of the European Consortium of the Organic-Based Fertiliser Industry (ECOFI)
Riccardo Preve, CEO, Riso Gallo
Networking Break
Parallel joint-problem solving sessions
Animals remain an important part of EU agrifood value chains, but the revalorisation of animal by-products (ABPs) has not been optimised. How do we rethink the regulatory framework for ABPs to encourage innovators to scale up to the European level?
- Jacques Pidoux, Chairman, BCF Life Sciences, and member of EBIC
- Aline Granjard, Policy Officer, European Compost Network (ECN)
- Arnaud Bouxin, Director for Feed Safety and Regulatory Affairs,
European Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC) - Samuele Ambrosetti, Programming & Innovation Manager, Bio-based Industries Consortium
Moderator: Antonis Angeletakis, EBIC Treasurer and Director of Biostimulants at Yara International
Whether used in biomanufacturing or present in end-user products, beneficial microorganisms hold great potential for increasing the sustainability. How can EU regulation be more coherent and innovation-friendly way to allow innovators to unleash their potential for more sustainable food systems?
- Ronan Kempf, Working Member of EBIC's Public Affaits Project Team and Head of Sales, Marketing and Technical Development at Agrauxine by Lesaffre
- Rosanna Pecere, Executive Director, European Probiotics Association
- Francisco Castro Alves, Biomanufacturing Platform & EU Projects Coordinator, EuropaBio
- Theodora Nikolakopoulou, Policy Officer, Bioeconomy Unit, DG GROW, European Commission
Moderator: Marco Rosso, EBIC Board Member and Global Head, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Biologicals and Seedcare at Syngenta Biologicals
Access to new technologies and techniques is a first step. Farmers need information and training to help them keep abreast of new developments. Strong advisory services help them make informed decisions, best adapted to their local circumstances. Incentives help offset the risk of trying new practices and compensate farmers until markets are able to do so. How can we connect the dots across agrifood ecosystems to empower farmers be sustainability innovators and entrepreneurs themselves?
- Fotini Giannakopoulou, General Manager, Hellenic Fertilizers' Association (SPEL)
- Mateusz Ciasnocha, Farmer, Ciasnocha Family Farms, and CEO, European Carbon Farmers
- Miriam Pajares, Fundación Global Nature
Moderator: Natasha Foote
Lunch and Networking
Plenary 3
1. Fostering innovation on animal by-products in the Circular Economy
Kristen Sukalac, Partner, Prospero & Partners
2. Harnessing the power of beneficial microorganisms across the bioeconomy
Sara Garcia-Figuera, Senior Consultant, Prospero & Partners
3. Empowering farmers to keep up with innovation
Jessica Fitch, Senior Consultant, Prospero & Partners
Having new innovations come to market in a timely manner is critical for farmers to be agile in an ever more volatile world. Time-to-market is also a key factor for prioritising investments. How can the EU make its market more attractive to agrifood investments by streamlining and accelerating time-to-market?
Moderated panel with:
- Bianca Forte, SugaROx Ltd., EBIC Member
- Aaron Powers, Co-Founder & CEO at Hunit, serial entrepreneur,
founding Vice President of EBIC - Laurent-David Charbit, Co-Head of the Regenerative Agriculture Fund at Tikehau Capital
- Ferran Soldevilla, Managing Director at Sunchemicals
- Luis Vivas-Alegre, Head of Sector, Research and Innovation Unit, DG AGRI, European Commission
Closing Session
Closing Call to Action from EBIC President
Carlos Rodríguez-Villa Förster
Networking Break
EBIC members and invited guests will convene in a private session to engage in joint sense-making from the event