BAPL R&D meeting, hosted by Niab on 10 February 2026

by | Feb 14, 2026 | 1 comment

R&D Technical Day 2026

British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) R&D meeting 2026

With colleagues from Niab, the BAPL research and development team hosted a full day of presentations from researchers and experts to share the latest in crop protection technologies and approaches.

More than 80 people joined in person, with a further 150 people joining via the live online webinar.

The meeting took place in Kent on 10th February 2026 and was open to members of BAPL who pay a levy to support this vital R&D work, as well as other interested parties and colleagues from Niab.

Click on the programme items below to open the relevant presentation slide decks.

Programme itemPresented by
Introdution and programme overviewAli Capper, BAPL
Place-based innovation for horticulture, with national impactSimon Barnes, GKM
Overview of how BAPL research supports apple and pear growersRachel McGauley, BAPL
Crop protection for British Apples and Pears: the good, the bad and the potentialSimon Conway and Carlos Duarte, HCP Ltd
A whole-orchard approach to managing apple cankerMatevz Papp-Rupar, Niab
Scab resistanceDon Prendegast, Agrii
Improving resilience in scab controlJonathan Blackman, Hutchinsons
Season-long control of priority pestsAlex Radu, Agrovista
Novel strategies for management of apple blossom weevilSarah Arnold, Niab
Augmenting the apple canopy with earwigs to enhance woolly apple aphid controlAdam Walker, Niab
Update on invasive pests and new ant baits for rosy apple aphid controlFrancis Wamonje, Niab
ArboricropGraham Dow, Niab
POME: Precision orchard management for the environmentCharles Whitfield, Niab
Holistic biological soil healthFlora O’Brien, Niab

Watch the recording of the whole day:

Rachel McGauley, BAPL research manager, shares details of the BAPL R&D programme. Working for growers and with growers to protect our crops and ensure the very best quality fruit for shoppers.

Rachel McGauley presenting at R&D Technical Day 2026
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