How we can leverage European Commission priorities to accelerate the uptake of biocontrol  

In June 2024, the European Council,  the institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union, published its broad strategic priorities for 2024-2029. Subsequently, Ursula von der Leyen outlined political guidelines on which she secured her re-election for a second term as president of the European Commission.   

Overall, the political outlook for biocontrol is positive, particularly given recent developments on a biocontrol definition. 

Von der Leyen has stated that the European Commission will “stick to the targets of the European Green Deal with pragmatism, technology-neutrality and innovation”.  

IBMA has identified the following commission priorities that can be leveraged to include a biocontrol definition, accelerate authorization processes and propose a new legislative framework. 

• A new Vision for Agriculture and Food – this will be launched in the first 100 days building on recommendations from the Strategic Dialogue on Agriculture examining ways to ensure competitiveness and sustainability of the farming sector.  

• A Clean Industrial Deal in the first 100 days with a dual focus on preparing the way for 90% emissions target, meeting Green Deal targets while responding to the Antwerp Declaration calling for a business case for investment in the EU to complement the Green Deal.  

• A new European Biotech Act in 2025 (likely to be a key part of the Danish Presidency work in the second half of 2025). This will be part of a broader Strategy for European Life Sciences, which will include new public private partnerships to develop high-value technologies for the green and digital transitions. 

• A new EU wide legal status to help innovative companies grow and each Commissioner will be tasked with reducing administrative burdens in their area of responsibility.  

• A new European Competitiveness fund for investment in strategic technologies including cleantech and biotech. 

• CAP funding will be targeted to find the right balance between incentives, investment and regulation. The aim is to reward farmers working with nature, preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems and helping to decarbonise the economy.  

Von der Leyen’s political guidelines refer to farming as fundamental to “Sustaining our quality of life, food security, water and nature” and the need to engage with farmers and stakeholders to build a competitive and resilient agriculture that protects Europe’s food sovereignty.  

They recognize the increasing pressures on farmers and the significant efforts being made to contribute to the green transition. Prioritizing competitiveness, resilience, and innovation, these guidelines pave the way for faster biocontrol authorization processes in line with the following objectives: 

• Resilient Agriculture: Working with nature, biocontrol solutions empower farmers to preserve biodiversity and natural ecosystems while maintaining productivity and contributing to the decarbonization of agriculture. 

• Competitiveness: Equipping European farmers with biocontrol tools will enable them to meet the growing consumer demand for sustainably produced food. Currently, European farmers face long waits of up to 10 years for access to innovative biocontrol solutions which are already available in other major agricultural regions of the world. 

• Farmer Incentives: Rewarding farmers for using biocontrol will provide financial support often needed to remain profitable when making changes to farming systems.  

• Innovation: Supporting Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) that are spearheading change with biocontrol innovations will ensure they can afford to stay in Europe and continue investing in the green economy. SMEs represent about 70% of biocontrol manufacturers in Europe, employing thousands with significant growth potential.  

• Reduce bureaucracy: Introducing regulatory sandboxes would allow the use of a provisional authorization approaches pending a new simplified legislation tailor made for biocontrol. 
   

Speeding up access to biocontrol will benefit farmers, foster innovation and ensure global food security by enabling farmers to grow crops within planetary boundaries.

IBMA will keep working to ensure decision makers are aware of how biocontrol solutions can help deliver on multiple European priorities.