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Global crop solutions specialist Koppert Biological Systems has acquired Certis Europe's beneficial organisms business in the UK, France and Italy.

The business agreement, which was concluded at the beginning of September, follows a decision by Certis to divest its commercial sales business for beneficials (crop protection products) in those three countries.

'The acquisition of Certis Europe’s beneficials sales business in the UK, France and Italy, fits in well with our long-term strategy to further develop biological solutions for these important agricultural and horticultural countries,' said Koppert Biological Systems’ managing director Henri Oosthoek.

'The negotiations with Certis were fruitful and coincide with Koppert’s mission to make agriculture healthier, safer and more productive for the better health of people and the planet,' he added. 'The transfer of business is underway and customers in these countries have been notified.'

Certis will continue to sell beneficial products elsewhere and continue its activities to develop integrated biological crop protection programmes with its customers in all its markets.

“We are excited to find in Koppert a potential partner that is the market leader in beneficial production and development and therefore is best placed to build on the excellent customer relationships Certis and BCP have developed with beneficial products over the last 20 years,' added Certis CEO Mark Waltham. 'In addition, Koppert has a similar strategy to Certis in developing robust and technically supported bio-pesticide and bio-stimulant products. We have identified several opportunities to expand our relationship in the future and have jointly committed to explore these opportunities together over the coming months.'