EBIC Summit 2025: Members cover image

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 18:00 to 20:00.

12 June 2025 at 09:30 — 12 June 2025 at 09:40
Welcome

Welcome from EBIC President
Carlos Rodríguez-Villa Förster

Carlos Rodríguez-Villa Förster picture
Carlos Rodríguez-Villa Förster

Plenary 1: Rethinking EU agrifood policy to boost competitiveness

12 June 2025 at 09:40 — 12 June 2025 at 10:00
Keynote One

One entrepreneur’s journey: how the EU helps and hinders agrifood innovation
Giuseppe Natale, Co-Founder Valagro, Board Member Hubruzzo, Co-Founder, Vedalia

Giuseppe Natale picture
Giuseppe Natale
12 June 2025 at 10:00 — 12 June 2025 at 10:20
Keynote Two

Transforming EU regulation to boost circular, biobased agriculture - TBC

12 June 2025 at 10:20 — 12 June 2025 at 10:40
Moderated Discussion

Moderated discussion with the two keynote speakers (and opportunity for audience Q&A)

Plenary 2: Enhanced farmer toolboxes: Key to sustainable and competitive agriculture

12 June 2025 at 10:40 — 12 June 2025 at 11:10
Moderated Panel

Mark Palmer, Commercial Director, IntraCrop, and Co-Chair of EBIC's Mid-Term Strategy Steering Group

Representative to be named, European Consortium of the Organic-Based Fertiliser Industry (ECOFI)

Jonathan Calland, Head of Sustainability & External Affairs, Tilda

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Mark Palmer
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Jonathan Calland

Networking Break

Parallel joint-problem solving sessions

12 June 2025 at 11:40 — 12 June 2025 at 12:25
Session 1: Fostering innovation on animal by-products in the Circular Economy

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)
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Jacques Pidoux
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Aline Granjard
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Arnaud Bouxin
12 June 2025 at 11:40 — 12 June 2025 at 12:25
Session 2: Harnessing the power of beneficial microorganisms across the bioeconomy 

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?

  • Charlotte Klank, Global Head of Regulatory Affairs and Policy, Aphea.Bio,
    and Co-Leader of EBIC's Project Team on Microorganisms
  • Rosanna Pecere, Executive Director, European Probiotics Association
  • Theodora Nikolakopoulou, Policy Officer, Bioeconomy Unit, DG GROW, European Commission
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Charlotte Klank
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Rosanna Pecere
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Theodora Nikolakopoulou
12 June 2025 at 11:40 — 12 June 2025 at 12:25
Session 3: Empowering farmers to keep up with innovation.

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)
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Fotini Giannakopoulou

Lunch and Networking

Plenary 3: Time-to-market: Key to keeping innovation in Europe and maintaining farmer competitiveness

12 June 2025 at 13:25 — 12 June 2025 at 13:45
Reporting back from the parallel joint problem-solving sessions
12 June 2025 at 13:45 — 12 June 2025 at 14:45
Moderated Panel

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
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Bianca Forte
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Aaron Powers
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Laurent-David Charbit
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Ferran Soldevilla

Closing Session

12 June 2025 at 14:45 — 12 June 2025 at 15:00
Closing Call to Action

Closing Call to Action from EBIC President
Carlos Rodríguez-Villa Förster

Networking Break

12 June 2025 at 15:30 — 12 June 2025 at 16:30
EBIC Senior Executive Roundtable

EBIC members and invited guests will convene in a private session to engage in joint sense-making from the event