EWRS workshop “Next generation of sustainable herbicide use”

Organized by EWRS WG 'Sustainable Use of Herbicides'

Oeiras, Portugal, 2nd to 4th of November 2026

This event serves as the premier meeting point for European researchers, agronomy experts, and industry leaders to shape the future of herbicide use in crop protection.

1st Announcement

The EWRS Working Group "Sustainable Use of Herbicides" is pleased to announce its upcoming 3-day workshop. This event serves as the premier meeting point for European researchers, agronomy experts, and industry leaders to shape the future of herbicide use in crop protection.

Event Details

  • Title: “Next generation of sustainable herbicide use”
  • Dates: 2-4 November 2026
  • Location: INIAV, Oeiras, Portugal
  • Host: Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária (INIAV)

Why This Workshop Matters

European agriculture faces immediate pressure to adapt to the Green Deal, Farm to Fork strategy, and the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation (SUR). This workshop provides a collaborative platform to translate research data and knowledge into practical field solutions. We will focus on Integrated Weed Management (IWM) systems that reduce herbicide volumes and environmental risks while maintaining high-quality food production.

Core Scientific & Technical Themes

We invite abstract submissions covering the following areas:

  • Advanced IWM Systems: Integration of herbicide use with other multi-tactic approaches, for robust cropping systems.
  • Herbicide-Tolerant Systems: New developments in herbicide-tolerant crops in Europe.
  • Application Technology & Spraying Systems: Advanced nozzle selection, adjuvants, drift reduction, and optimized formulation strategies.
  • Smart & Digital Agronomy: Smart herbicide applications, robotics, sensor spraying, and herbicide precision tools.

⭐ Featured Highlights

  • Innovation Showcase: A dynamic presentation of context-specific results from major EU projects and herbicide smart technologies, featuring either live field trials or interactive case-study sessions, depending on availability.
  • B2B Networking: To bridge the gap between academic research and industry needs.
  • WG Future Directions: This session will also outline the future strategic direction and leadership goals of the Working Group.

Travel Grants for Early-Career Scientists

To support the next generation of researchers, the EWRS is offering travel and accommodation subsidies.

  • Eligibility: Master’s/PhD students and early-stage scientists under 35 years of age.
  • Requirement: Must be the presenting author of an accepted oral or poster presentation. The maximum number of subsidies to be awarded to one early career scientist is three in total.
  • Amount: cover (as a refund) part of their accommodation and travel expenses.
  • cannot exceed €500. If the applicant is not an EWRS-member, an amount equal to the yearly EWRS fee (€30 for students and €60 for regular members) will be deducted from the subsidy, and the applicant will be enrolled in EWRS.
  • Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated by the Working Group Leader/Deputy Leader (Dimosthenis Chachalis, Milena Simic) and the Scientific Secretary of the EWRS, Lynn Tatnell
  • How to apply: Application by e-mail to all (d.chachalis@bpi.gr, smilena@mrizp.rs, lynn.tatnell@adas.co.uk). Applications need to include: A short motivation letter, a curriculum vitae, an estimate of the costs for travel and accommodation, a statement from the home institute that they will cover the remainder of the expenses for travel and accommodation, should the travel grant be awarded.
  • Deadline: 15 September 2026.

Important Deadlines & Actions

  • Abstract Submission Opens: 1 August 2026
  • Abstract Deadline: 1 October 2026
  • Registration Opens: 1 August 2026

 

Registration Details 

Join us for the workshop for a registration fee as below. This all-inclusive rate covers your participation, daily coffee provisions, lunches, the official gala dinner, and the featured highlights.

Costs:

  EWRS member Non-member
Regular 190 250
Student (BSc/MSc/PhD) 130 160

The difference in fees between members and non-members is the cost of a yearly membership to the EWRS.

Organizing Committee

Local Host Organizers:

EWRS Working Group Leadership:

Additional information

The meetings will take place from 9:00 to 17:00 each day. The detailed programme and additional information will be announced at a later date.

This event is jointly organized by the INIAV and the Scientific Society of Agrarian Sciences (SCAP, https://scap.pt/ ).

For updates and background information, visit the official EWRS Sustainable Use of Herbicides Working Group Page.

DOWNLOAD the First Circular HERE.

About this event Registration Abstract submission