BİOTED celebrated its 10th anniversary
The Biological and Biotechnical Control Products Manufacturers and Suppliers Association (BİOTED), founded in 2013, celebrated its 10th anniversary with a meal. It was attended by Antalya Deputy Governor Suat Seyitoğlu, Antalya Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Şakir Fırat Erkal, association members and journalists from different provinces of Turkey.
In his speech at the opening of the meeting, BİOTED Chairman Yağız Süzen thanked all members, especially the founding members, who led the association to its current status during its 10-year adventure. Reminding that biological and biotechnical control methods continue to become widespread, Yağız Süzen said: “BİOTED will continue to play a pioneering role in the future to further popularize and increase the recognition of biological control. Our target is to ensure the standardization of biological control practice in agriculture, to contribute to the raising of healthy generations and to increase food safety. As BİOTED, we will continue to work on encouraging the scientific research, training programs preparations and stimulating our members in innovation and sustainability in line with this vision”
“WE STRIVE TO BECOME AN ASSOCIATION THAT LEADS THE SECTOR”
Yağız Süzen noted that many current issues, ranging from residue problems to fruit and vegetable exports, from consumer awareness to the Green Deal, are on the agenda of the biological control sector and concluded his speech as follows: “What we want to do is to bring plant production in Turkey to the limits of the distance humanity has reached in the field of agricultural control. BİOTED will also operate into some scientific processes related to agriculture through its recently established commercial enterprise. We believe that soon, we will become a sectoral organization that everyone trusts and respects, that has become a scientific authority and that leads the sector, and this is what we are working for”.
“THE MINISTRY ENDORSES BIOLOGICAL CONTROL”
Antalya Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Şakir Fırat Erkal, who attended the meeting, emphasized on the importance of biological control in terms of food safety and food security in his speech and pointed out that the Ministry is trying to extend biological control through subsidies. Noting that the Ministry is carrying out revision studies on agricultural subsidies, Erkal said that biological control subsidies are being upgraded as well. Şakir Fırat Erkal added that he believes that the existence of BİOTED will move the entire sector forward.
“BIOTED WILL PURSUE PIONEERING”
Deputy Governor Suat Seyitoğlu mentioned about his experiences on food security during his overseas trips and suggested that Turkey should show the utmost sensitivity on food. Suat Seyitoğlu stated that the Ministry holds a very strong vision and as administrators, they endeavor to ensure that this vision is reflected at the local level. At the end of his speech, Suat Seyitoğlu added: “We believe that after its 10th year as an association, BİOTED will rise the level of the public awareness and will spearhead the dissemination of good practices”
BIOTED LAUNCHES SCIENTIFIC STUDIES
Under the coordination of Prof. Dr. İsmail Karaca, also serving as Secretary General, BİOTED plans to undertake some scientific studies and has applied to the Ministry for a certificate of authorization to conduct biological effect trials and side effect trials through its newly established Commercial Enterprise. The association is meanwhile working on establishing of a laboratory within its headquarter.
