Combating resistance in crop and non-crop pests - trends and technologies
Resistance is one of the fastest moving fields within crop protection and has the potential to accelerate in the near future. Continuing upward pressures on agriculture to increase food supplies, coupled with the reduction of chemical weapons available through de-registration, is a potentially dangerous combination of forces. This will lead to major resistance problems unless anticipatory measures are taken.
The sessions will expand on these trends in agriculture - and display relevant actions being taken in the field of vector control to develop significant new tools for detecting resistance development.
Increased commodity prices and a need to improve food security provide growers with the challenge of increasing yields whilst ensuring that inputs are used effectively and with concern for the environment. Good control of pests, diseases and weeds has a significant impact on yield, and for this reason the SCI BioResources Group is organising a meeting to explore how pesticide use can be increased without undermining anti-resistance strategies. These issues will be examined against a background of proposed EU re-registration policies which threaten to remove key pesticide groups, and changes in agronomic practices driven by higher fuel prices. Delegates will be brought up-to-date on recent research defining resistance risk for key pesticide groups, and how these findings might be incorporated into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems. The take home message will emphasise how increased yields can be achieved without losing valuable modes of action because of resistance. Six invited speakers will discuss these issues in a morning symposium, and delegates will be able to contribute in an afternoon discussion session. Also in the afternoon, a poster session will provide an opportunity for delegates to present results of their work on any aspect of resistance - not just on aspects directly related to the theme of the morning session. 
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has declared its desire to contribute to a multi-billion $ campaign over the next decade aimed at eradicating malaria. This includes a major drive to control mosquito disease vectors. 