EU biocontrol regulatory policy debate

The International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA) initially called for the European Union to accelerate regulatory access to biocontrol solutions. The organization warned that legislative proposals might exclude approximately 58% of the 180 authorized biocontrol active substances by limiting regulatory acceleration only to those classified as ‘low risk’. IBMA argued that farmers require a broader range of tools, such as pheromones and microorganisms, to combat climate change and new pests.

Following these concerns, the European Union Council reached an agreement on a biocontrol omnibus regulation. However, IBMA España reported that this agreement scales back the original measures proposed by the European Commission. While the Commission’s initial goal was to simplify procedures for sustainable tools, negotiations among member states limited many simplification measures to ‘low risk’ substances. The IBMA warns that this outcome may result in legal uncertainty and a fragmented application of rules across member states, diminishing the effectiveness of the simplification measures.