Dutch Greenhouses Test New Biological Defenses

Amoéba and Koppert secure Dutch permits for large-scale trials of AXPERA/TIAGAN biocontrol across five major greenhouse crops

26 Jun 2026

Europe’s indoor farmers face a paradox. As consumers demand year-round berries and tomatoes, regulators are systematically banning the synthetic chemicals needed to protect these delicate crops. The tension is acute in the Netherlands, where intensive greenhouse farming contributes heavily to national agricultural exports, yet faces stringent European Union rules on pesticides. A potential escape route has emerged from the microscopic world.

In May 2026, the Dutch crop protection authority, CTGB, granted two large-scale trial permits for a biological control technology called AXPERA/TIAGAN. Developed by Amoéba, a French firm, the treatment uses a natural organism to combat powdery mildew, a fungal disease that devastates high-value greenhouse crops annually. The testing covers five major crops: cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants, and strawberries. Together, these represent a vast share of Dutch greenhouse production.

Ordinarily, testing unregistered agricultural products means destroying the harvest. The regulatory breakthrough here is an exceptional exemption that allows these crops to be consumed despite the product's unregistered status. By eliminating a major financial barrier for participating growers, the exemption accelerates the trial process significantly.

The push is backed by substantial commercial weight. Koppert, a global leader in biological crop solutions and Amoéba’s strategic partner, secured the permits. They did so with the backing of Glastuinbouw Nederland, an industry body representing three-quarters of the country’s total greenhouse area. This collective endorsement suggests high sector confidence, a rare feat for an unproven biocontrol entrant.

Amoéba intends to leverage this momentum for a dual commercial launch in both Europe and the United States in 2026. Because European product registration is anticipated in the first half of the year, the trials run on a tight timeline with little room for delay.

If successful, the technology offers a template for the broader agricultural sector. As synthetic options vanish, retailers and supply chains are desperate for credible alternatives. Should registration proceed on schedule, Amoéba’s partnership model could show how biological innovations can move from the laboratory to the commercial shelf before the regulatory squeeze chokes off supply.