Science - June 14, 2010
Accolade for Van Lenteren
Joop van Lenteren was placed in the limelight on 10 June by the producers of organic crop protectants. He received a Life Time Achievement Award from the International Biocontrol Manufacturers' Association. The R&D director for crop protectant producer Koppert, Karel Bolckmans, handed over the prize.

Yet, Van Lenteren expressed discontent about this subject in his farewell lecture. While organic crop protection is safer and cheaper than chemical crop protection, governments do not give enough support for environmentally friendly crop protection measures, says the professor. Moreover, the pesticide industry opposes biological control measures, 'because it cannot obtain a patent for insects and it doesn't want long term solutions. The biological control sector would have to step up its lobbying efforts.'