Amoéba has received authorisation for large-scale trials of its biocontrol product Axpera in the Netherlands. The permit was granted by the College voor de Toelating van Gewasbeschermingsmiddelen en Biociden (CTGB), the Dutch crop protection authority, and allows fruit and vegetables produced under the permit to be consumed.
Entering the Dutch market represents an ideal showcase for demonstrating the added value of Axpera, a biocontrol fungicide targeting for example powdery and downy mildews.
The CTGB has authorised the use of Axpera against powdery and downy mildews on several major greenhouse crops: tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, roses and gerbera.
Contrary to the usual practice of destroying crops from trials using products that have not yet been registered, the CTGB has granted an exceptional exemption. In view of Axpera's low-risk profile, the Dutch authorities have authorised the consumption of fruit and vegetables harvested as part of these trials.
This permit could also benefit Amoéba's potential future partner, Koppert, a world leader in biocontrol solutions based in the Netherlands, which will be able to continue trials under market conditions and speed up commercial roll-out. Koppert is very interested in the prospect of a rapid start-up in this highly strategic market, once the agreement under discussion has been signed.
"In mid-April, Amoéba received emergency marketing authorisation from the French Ministry of Agriculture for its biocontrol product Axpera for treating downy mildew on grapes. This exceptional new authorisation granted by the CTGB represents much more than a regulatory milestone. It demonstrates the recognition by the authorities of our product's safety, and a key opportunity to enter one of Europe's most advanced markets for greenhouse crops. This new development brings us one step closer to our ambition of providing farmers with sustainable alternatives to conventional pesticides", says Jean-François Doucet, Chief Executive Officer of Amoéba.
For more information:
Amoéba 
amoeba-nature.com/en/