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press releases
5th July 2023
SUR essential to unlock biocontrol for farmers
As per the Council request at the end of 2023, the European Commission additional study to the impact assessment on the SUR has just been published.
This study recognises “the potential of alternatives, including biocontrol, as a key contribution to achieving pesticide reduction targets”.
“The SUR is essential to unlock the potential of alternatives such as biocontrol” underlines International Biocontrol Industry Association Executive Director Jennifer Lewis.
This additional study, complementing the impact assessment on the Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products Regulation (SUR), confirms alternatives are ready in the pipeline with applications for 79 new biocontrol active substances and 54 extensions of uses of existing substances expected before 2028, citing data provided by 26 company members of the International Biocontrol Industry Association (IBMA).
“Biocontrol innovations have significant potential to replace chemical pesticides in a range of crops, including in field crops such as cereals and oilseed“ concludes the additional study, referencing provisional authorisations to get enough alternatives to farmers by 2030.
“We hope this additional study from the Commission paves the way for constructive discussions in the European Parliament and Council to improve farmers’ access to biocontrol which is essential for IPM and resilient food systems” added IBMA Executive Director Jennifer Lewis.
The biocontrol industry is worth €1.4 billion in Europe and €6 billion worldwide. The industry is ready to invest even more into solutions for Europe when the authorisation process is fast-tracked. With its biocontrol EU Definition and clear support for alternatives, the SUR is essential to unlock biocontrol potential”
Notes to Editors – please find below some useful links leading to some additional information and letters signed by IBMA:
- Letter from IBMA Council to MEPs of 8th June
- Letter from IBMA, NGOs and other stakeholders of 10th November
- Biocontrol success stories report and website, by IBMA
- Biocontrol in the pipelines, March 2023 report by IBMA
- Exploring the benefits of biocontrol for sustainable agriculture, June 2021 report by IEEP
27th April 2023
We need biological control for the agriculture transition
26th october 2022
31st August 2022
IBMA reaction:
IBMA welcomes the European Commission adoption of the new rules for micro-organisms (also known as microbials) used in plant protection products.
IBMA would like to underline the following points:
- IBMA appreciates that the weight of evidence approach can replace the systematic use of animal studies to address toxicity and pathogenicity end points.
- Biology and ecology are considered the basis for the risk assessment decisions, which is a key adaptation for effective microbial risk assessment,
- These revised Data Requirements are a crucial part of the Farm to Fork strategy implementation but alone cannot speed up the delivery of micro-organisms/microbials to the farmers.
- The authorization process of 1107/2009 needs to be implemented in a way that allows authorization and placing on the market in Member States within 1-3 years of initial submission as seen for biocontrol in other countries such as USA and Brazil. Timescales for a product to reach the market following submission in the European Union range from 4 years to 10 years.
22nd June 2022
IBMA Global, Regulation on Sustainable Use of Plant Protection Products proposal
29th March 2022
IBMA Global, IBMA France and IEEP Unlocking the potential of biocontrol
23rd March 2022
SUD revision Delay: Food security and sustainability – it all starts with the B of Biocontrol
11th February 2022
IBMA reaction:
IBMA thanks the European Commission for their work to revise the microbial data requirements (DRs). In particular, we appreciate that the weight of evidence approach can replace the systematic use of animal studies to address tox and pathogenicity end points and and there is conditionality in the requirements.
However, IBMA Executive Director Jennifer Lewis underlines: ´´Unfortunately these changes appear unable to speed up microbials authorization. In fact, there is little fundamental change to the existing DRs: which is a disappointing missed opportunity to align European Commission policies to the goals of Farm to Fork. ´´
The most significant change is the incorporation of the secondary metabolite guidance, which stems from a chemical definition of a metabolite, and is now driving the new data requirements and will create some technically unrealistic studies for microbial metabolites that are not of safety concern. This highlights the need for more experts on microbials within the European Commission and Member States to ensure relevant evaluation of the microbial products. Currently it takes up to 10 years for microbials to reach the market. A fast track system must be implemented immediately for microbials and other biocontrol in order to meet the Farm to Fork Strategy objectives for pesticide reduction.
20th October 2021
IBMA FiBL – More than 970 biocontrol industry representatives gather at ABIM in Basel – a strong boost for our nature based solutions
14th October 2021
EU Farm to Fork Conference 2021: Back Biocontrol, not chemical pesticides
24th June 2021
IBMA IEEP – Biocontrol can offer a systemic and balanced solution for sustainable agriculture
14th April 2021
IBMA assists in the development of the CABI BioProtection Portal and shared mission of greater ‘green diplomacy’
7th April 2021
IBMA 2021 Biocontrol Industry survey calls on members to make a strong can-do statement
1st April 2021
SUD Review: Bioprotection-biocontrol technologies make a crucial contribution to the transition to more agroecological farming
26th May 2020
IBMA, the voice of the biocontrol industry, thanks the European Commission for the coherence of the Farm to Fork strategy for alternatives to chemical pesticides and the biodiversity strategy
23rd January 2020
Biocontrol technologies as key part of farmers’ toolbox
16th January 2020
IBMA and the organic movement call for better regulation of natural origin plant protection technologies
22nd October 2019
Proportionate Regulation and Biocontrol is a reality
3rd June 2019
Jennifer Lewis, IBMA member former employee, is our new Executive Director
7th February 2019
IBMA lodges a complaint with the EU Ombudsman against the EU Commission, for maladministration regarding the adaptation of the PPPs Regulation 1107/2009
Deutsche Fassung Pressemitteilung
7th February 2019
Joint IBMA Copa-Cogeca Press Release – Sustainable Plant Protection – Copa and Cogeca and IBMA host a high level symposium to discuss the necessity of expanding farmers’ toolbox
23rd October 2018
IBMA White Paper – A New EU Regulatory Framework for Bioprotection Agents: IBMA Vision on how to improve regulation in the European Union
11th September 2018 – Joint Press Release with Copa-Cogeca
Biocontrol solutions in the limelight – Copa-Cogeca and IBMA publish their new Roadmap for collaboration on biocontrol solutions
19th June 2018
IBMA Biocontrol Survey Report
3rd November 2017
ABIM 2017: The biggest gathering of biocontrol professionals – ever.
17th February 2017
3rd February 2017
11th July 2016
2nd February 2016
Biocontrol and Biopesticide Associations Form International Federation
26th November 2015, IBMA/PAN Europe Press release
Sustainable use of pesticides: one year delay in publishing European Commission report
15th July 2015, IBMA/Copa-Cogeca Press release
26th November 2014, IBMA/PAN Europe Press release