Oct 3, 2016

BPIA expands with industry growth

The Biopesticide Industry Alliance (BPIA), the U.S.-based trade association representing the biopesticide industry, marked several milestones in September during its largest-ever semi-annual meeting in Arlington, Virginia.

In a year that brought twenty new member companies to BPIA, its board of directors took steps to further expand the association with two key changes to membership. Most notably, the board voted include biostimulants within the construct of BPIA. The board also voted to create a new membership category for growers and food processors in response to rising interest in biopesticides from the food value chain.

“This is a period of unprecedented growth for the biological products industry,” said Rick Melnick, chair of the BPIA board of directors and global brand management and communications manager for Valent BioSciences Corporation. “Our growth in membership and the biostimulant industry’s desire to be part of BPIA is a testament to the diligence and hard work of all our member companies. By delivering effective, sustainable products that meet the needs of society, our members create value that extends well beyond the point of sale. We look forward to continuing with that mission.”

BPIA membership also elected two new board members, Jeff Blackwood, senior manager of government affairs for BASF and Keith Pitts, chief sustainability officer with Marrone Bio Innovations. The Board also established a task force to develop an integration for biostimulants, joining the association’s already active public outreach, regulatory, and government affairs efforts on behalf of its more than 100 member companies both domestic and international.