Biobest, a leading global player in pollination and biological control, has announced the establishment of Biobest UK. By adding direct local presence to its existing distribution network, Biobest will further increase its standard of service in the UK. In a context of consolidation and increasing sophistication in soft fruit and vegetable production - in particular when it comes to greenhouse production - this move addresses the need of larger and more technologically advanced operators for the highest level of technical support.
The new UK operation is to be led by UK biological control pioneer Phil Walker, a founder of Biological Crop Protection (BCP). “We are launching with a highly skilled team in place,” says Phil “Biobest’s long-standing global expertise and innovative technologies in biological control and pollination of high-tech fruit and vegetable production will be of great value to British growers.”
With over a century’s combined experience of developing and implementing IPM strategies and pollination programmes in UK and European edible and ornamental crops, the Biobest UK team is ready for a flying start. Mark Jones and Mark Wilde, both BASIS qualified, will provide specialist technical advice. Tracey Lilliott comes on board with the expertise to ensure the smooth running of the new operations and heads up product forecasting, logistics and invoicing. Additional staff will be recruited in the coming months.
“Committed to keeping abreast of changing crop management practices and challenges, at the Tomato Conference we are unveiling several of Biobest’s advances. With our audax hives, we offer a native bumblebee for optimal tomato pollination. We present a new electronic hive opening and closing system to improve bee management in lit crops. Growers wishing to evolve to residue-free production will appreciate our extensive range of biological solutions for all major pests.
The first company to commercially supply bumblebees for crop pollination in 1987, Biobest is a global player leading the way producing the largest range of species to fulfill pollination needs. Biobest also supplies a comprehensive and innovative range of quality biological products including beneficial insects, mites and nematodes as well as innovative biopesticides and products to stimulate beneficials.