The EU’s Aim to Streamline Biocontrol Approvals
The European Union (EU) has taken significant strides to streamline biopesticide and biocontrol approvals by modernizing the existingEurop-evation Regulatory framework (SUR). The goal is to address the long-standing delays in getting these substances to approval and ensure that Europe remains a global leader in pest management.
The EU’s new plan, proposed by the European Commission, aims to overhaul the current SUR framework, prioritizing biocontrol applications. A new Biocontrol substances and biological technologies catalogue will be released in the first half of 2024, with member states allowed to authorise plant protection products containing these technologies on a provisional basis. Official approval will begin only after extensive EU review, with the aim of creating a faster-track authorisation process.
Until then, biocontrol applications require seven to nine years to meet EU guidelines, a stark contrast to the less than two to three years it takes for conventional pesticides. This is a critical issue, as biocontrol methods offer a more environmentally-friendly solution, with applications of fungi, viruses, and essential oils like clove oil. However, despite the recent advances in biocontrol technologies, the approval process remains outdated and slow.
The SUR framework, established over 15 years ago, is designed to enable EU member states to have a single points of entry for biocontrol substances. However, this concept has been crowded by political opposition, leading to delays in negotiations. The Belgianpresident of the EU Council abandoned the SUR proposal after the final approval was narrowly avoided in November 2024.
The EU is now pushing further to address these challenges, with potential legislative changes to accelerate the approval of biocontrol applications. This includes a draft Document on Forty, the Biotech Act, which aims to close the gap in biocontrol substance approval.
The EU Kangaroo Cooperation (KEC) specializes in biocontrol technologies, and companies like Croplife Europe and IBMA (International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association) are up in high gear, aiming to develop and commercialize viable biocontrol solutions. However, despite their efforts, the biocontrol sciences remain lagging behind conventional pesticides in terms of investment and farmer adoption.
As biocontrol becomes increasingly important, Europe faces a delicate balance between economic, environmental, and regulatory considerations. Any delay in obtaining proper biocontrol technologies could hinder Europe’s potential to compete with global leaders, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Brazil.
In conclusion, while progress is being made on improving biocontrol submissions, the industry needs to shift its priorities and take swift steps to comply with the EU’s new regulatory framework. Addressing the acute challenges posed by biocontrol and sustainable agricultural practices is critical to Europe’s future as a player in global agricultural markets.
