There is an enormous literature on biopesticides dating back to the 1970 and beyond, but apart from Bacillus thuringiensis, this work has had relatively little impact on the pesticide market. With increasing public interest in the environment and food safety many now see opportunities in implementing biological controls in crop protection programmes, including the use of beneficial microbial control agents, including entomopathogenic nematodes (MCAs). However, some of the constraints that have dogged successful implementation of MCAs remain, including appropriate delivery systems (formulation, packaging, application, etc.).

This workshop has been developed for practitioners to address some of the delivery system issues, and to help participants to understand the "laboratory to field to marketplace" issues that are so crucial to successful implementation. Specifically we aim to:

• Introduce biologists to spray application issues

• Examine fate of agents from spray tank to target site

• Explore issues of scale-up from laboratory to field experiments

• See biopesticides from a growers point of view

• Provide an overview of other delivery systems: seed coating, drenches, irrigation, etc.

The International Pesticide Application Research Centre (IPARC) has provided a service to the pest control community for 50 years, focusing on application methods for farmers, nozzle manufacturers and regulators. Its unique facilities (see: http://www.iparc.org) enable us to carry out research and training on techniques for incorporating biopesticides in pest management strategies. The workshop will make full use of these resources.