MP Ida Auken visits BioPhero

Danish politician Ida Auken has paid a visit to BioPhero to talk about how to further sustainable agriculture using affordable, safe and environmentally friendly pheromones to control pests in field crops.

Prior to touring BioPhero’s laboratories and large-scale fermentation pilot plant in Copenhagen, CEO Kristian Ebbensgaard highlighted that BioPhero has managed to develop a completely new technology to product readiness in only three years, yet several challenges remain.

One of them is current regulations on plant protection products in the European Union (EU). That agricultural bio-solutions such as pheromones must fulfil the same regulatory requirements as pesticides is a little like suggesting electric cars should undergo the same exhaust emission testing as their combustion counterparts. Insect pheromones are in contrast to most pesticides already present in nature, and when used to control pests only miniscule quantities are needed in a field.

Another reason why BioPhero is happy to welcome stakeholders like Ida Auken, explained Kristian Ebbensgaard, is that human beings need a compelling reason to change a habit, and farmers are no different. BioPhero remains confident that its technology will be attractive to farmers, however, regulatory support from politicians will certainly speed up the adoption of this green alternative to insecticides.

“We see visits like this as an important opportunity for mutual dialogue and knowledge sharing with politicians and other stakeholders involved in the on-going green transition in Europe,” says Kristian Ebbensgaard.

Ida Auken is a former Danish Minister for the Environment, known for her interest in climate, energy and circular economy. She is a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Social Democratic Party and its current spokesperson on research. In addition, she is a member of two parliamentary committees on Higher Education and Research as well as Climate, Energy and Utilities.

Image caption: Chief Scientific Officer and BioPhero Co-founder Irina Borodina (right) explains the work of Analytical Chemist Rune Smedegaard to, from right to left, Member of Parliament Ida Auken, Danish Chamber of Commerce Senior Public Affairs Advisor on Climate and Energy Kristian Lund Kofoed and Ida Auken’s Campaign Manager Magnus Månsson Sæbye