A science-policy dialogue in Brussels

Developing sustainable crop protection approaches is a major challenge for the future of European agriculture. Addressing this challenge requires innovative scientific approaches, coherent public policies and strong collaboration between researchers, policymakers, farmers and other stakeholders across the agri-food system.
This event will showcase some key insights from the French Priority Research Programme “Growing and Protecting Crops Differently” (Cultiver et Protéger Autrement), launched in 2019 to generate transformative knowledge and support the transition towards sustainable agricultural systems.
Through presentations from several research projects (four projects financed by the French Priority Research Programme “Growing and Protecting Crops Differently” and one Horizon Europe project) and a final panel discussion, this science-policy dialogue will explore how research can contribute to the development of sustainable crop protection policies at European and national levels. Discussions will highlight promising solutions and evidence-based approaches, including innovative plant health surveillance systems, collective transition pathways, risk-sharing mechanisms and policy instruments supporting farmers.
By bringing together European institutions, scientific communities and agricultural stakeholders, this event aims to strengthen the dialogue between research and policymaking, foster collaboration across Europe and contribute to shaping a shared vision for a sustainable, fair and resilient European agriculture.

From research to policy

• BEYOND – Reorienting plant health surveillance towards agroecological outcomes

The BEYOND project from the French Priority Research Programme “Growing and Protecting Crops Differently” explores how plant health surveillance can better support agroecological crop protection. By linking surveillance systems more closely to crop protection decisions and agroecological practices, the project develops new indicators and tools that can strengthen surveillance systems and inform policy recommendations for sustainable crop protection.

• VITAE – De-risking agricultural transitions: Green insurance as a policy tool for sustainable crop protection

The VITAE project from the French Priority Research Programme “Growing and Protecting Crops Differently” examines how green insurance can help farmers experiment with and adopt more sustainable crop protection practices. Based on a four-year living-lab experiment in French viticulture, the project demonstrates how risk-sharing mechanisms can support farmer learning, accelerate innovation and contribute to long-term pesticide reduction.

• FORTUNA – Future innovation for pesticide use reduction in agriculture

The Horizon Europe project FORTUNA explores pathways towards reducing, and ultimately phasing out, the use of chemical pesticides in European agriculture. Through systemic transition scenarios combining technological innovation, changes across food value chains and stakeholder engagement, the project contributes to productive, resilient and pesticide-free farming systems.

• BE CREATIVE – Towards pesticide reduction in agriculture: challenges and opportunities for a collective and systemic transition from field to supply chain

The BE CREATIVE project from the French Priority Research Programme “Growing and Protecting Crops Differently” highlights the importance of collective and systemic approaches to reducing pesticide use. Through territorial case studies, it explores how farmers, advisers, cooperatives, local authorities and civil society can work together to co-design innovative solutions and support the transition across agricultural value chains.

• FAST – Three pillars for accelerating the transition to low pesticide farming systems

Drawing on research in economics, law and sociology, the FAST project from the French Priority Research Programme “Growing and Protecting Crops Differently” presents policy recommendations based on three complementary pillars: justice, equity and legitimacy. The project explores how differentiated policy instruments can better reflect the diversity of farming situations while making pesticide reduction policies more effective, equitable and socially acceptable.

Practical information

Tuesday, 29 September 2026
09:00–13:00, followed by lunch
Maison Irène et Frédéric Joliot-Curie (Rue du Trône 100, 1050 Ixelles), Brussels

Registration is free of charge, but required: please contact us.

A post-event brief highlighting the main discussion points and key insights will be shared after the event.