UK CRD to introduce new measures on biopesticides

CRD has recently concluded a review of its biopesticides scheme and related issues based on a report produced by ADAS, which is the UK’s largest independent provider of environmental consultancy, rural development services and policy advice.

The ADAS report considered the barriers to the commercialisation of biopesticides and the scope for strengthening support for biopesticides within current regulatory and other constraints.

ADAS noted the inherent commercial limitations of biopesticides given that they tend only to control a small range of pests on a few crops. However, they can have inherent advantages over conventional chemicals in terms of environmental impacts and crop residues. With the agreement of Defra minsters CRD, therefore, intends to introduce a package of measures to strengthen support for biopesticides.

New measures
1.The following new measures will be introduced or actions taken where EU level considerations apply:

  a.The package of support for companies provided by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD ) involving advice and lower fees for biopesticide applications will be strengthened. For applications submitted after the date of this Regulatory Update, fees for the pre-submission meetings held with those seeking EU approval for a new biopesticide active substance will be discounted from the application fee if the application proceeds.

   b.CRD is working with the Commission and other MS to provide clearer guidance to assist companies submitting applications for authorisations. They are currently contributing to the development of the Commission’s draft guidance on plant extracts. CRD also see scope for some revision of the current data requirements for microbial biopesticides. They will support a review of these requirements in the light of the practical experience gained in considering dossiers submitted for new biopesticides or those in ‘list 4’ of the pesticides review programme.

   c.The new EU zonal system for pesticide product authorisations offers opportunities to reduce any regulatory barriers to UK authorisations. They will work with other Member States to develop zonal and mutual recognition procedures to improve the chance that a product available elsewhere in the EU also becomes available to UK growers if there is a demand.

2. Alongside these initiatives to support the introduction of biopesticides, CRD will work with the International Biopesticides Manufacturing Association on training initiatives designed to improve companies understanding of the regulatory process and to improve the quantity and quality of the applications that they make for approvals.

3.The ADAS report notes the contribution that government research funding has made to pest control science, but draws attention to growers’ support for the more applied direction of some recent pesticides research. The government agrees that, within the total sum available for biopesticides, greater priority should be given to such applied work.

The ADAS report can be found here.