We want bolder, simpler, faster processes to accelerate biocontrol 

The European Commission has adopted its 2025 work programme, outlining its ambition to boost competitiveness, enhance security, and bolster economic resilience. It builds on the commitments set out in the Political Guidelines and the mission letters sent by President von der Leyen.  

We greet the inclusion of the Vision for Agriculture and Food in the work progamme which will build on recommendations from the Strategic Dialogue Report. Both the mission letters and recommendations from the Strategic Dialogue call for steps to accelerate biocontrol.  

Business as usual is no longer an option. 

We need simplification and consistent rules that help not hinder businesses in achieving their objectives. Farmers are also business owners running out of tools to manage pests and diseases while facing a decade wait for the authorization of innovative biocontrol solutions.  

Simplification for the biocontrol sector would mean streamlined authorization processes to enable biocontrol innovators to scale up and stay in Europe and most importantly fill the farmers’ toolbox with biocontrol solutions.  

We need to work together to make this happen- and this can start with better implementation of 1107 particularly in Member States.  

Our policy asks for bolder, simpler, faster processes to accelerate biocontrol 

1. Better implementation of 1107 – More expertise in Member States and EFSA, priority lane for biocontrol, and mutual recognition. 

2. Targeted Biocontrol Amendments to 1107- EU wide definition, provisional authorisation, remove need for re-registration, and label extension. 

3. New legislative framework for biocontrol. 

Accelerate biocontrol 

The Strategic Dialogue Report called on the European Commission to enable a robust legislative framework for biocontrol products and approaches in 2025.  

For this, we need: EU-wide legal biocontrol definition and targeted amendments  

A harmonised legal definition of biocontrol PPPs is immediately needed together with measures to amend the treatment of this defined group of PPPs within Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009.In particular, the following amendments are imperative to make biocontrol solutions available to farmers now: 

• Re-instatement of Article 30 to allow Provisional Authorisation of biocontrol PPPs 

• Waive the renewal process for biocontrol PPPs unless there is a scientific need 

• Facilitate label expansion for biocontrol PPPs   

The upcoming ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’ should refer to the direct implementation of these measures via any pertinent immediate Commission legislative initiative such as the Biotech Act or legislative proposals related to the announced simplification (omnibus) packages.  

We continue to work towards a legislative solution for biocontrol in 2025.  We note the Biotech Act has been delayed to 2026, which is an option but not within the Strategic Dialogue timeline.  

 In the longer term, a fundamental rework of the regulation for biocontrol PPPs is needed to maintain the competitiveness and resilience of the agricultural and crop protection markets in Europe. 

This will contribute to food security, ensure a continuous stream of innovative and sustainable crop protection solutions to farmers, and stimulate investments and innovation in future-proof crop protection technologies.