Pakistan’s new biopesticide regulation highlighted at Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting

Pakistan’s new biopesticides registration guidance to tackle a range of crop pests and diseases has been highlighted at the 19th Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) 2024 held in Basel, Switzerland.

Dr Ulrich Kuhlmann and Dr Sabyan Honey at the 19th Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) 2024 where they helped raise awareness of Pakistan’s new biopesticide registration guidance.

Organized by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA), ABIM 2024 saw more than 2,000 delegates and 157 exhibitors from 67 countries showcase nature-based solutions and services for more environmentally friendly grown food.

Scientists from CABI’s Swiss Centre in Delémont facilitated and organized the representation of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) to show how Pakistan is moving towards more sustainable agricultural practices.

CABI’s role in facilitating the participation of MNFS&R in ABIM, a first for a government entity, was hailed as an innovative and out of the box approach that directly links international biocontrol manufacturers with the Department of Plant Protection (DPP), which is responsible for biopesticide registrations.

Biopesticides registration guidance will secure livelihoods and food security

Dr Ulrich Kuhlmann, Executive Director, Global Operations, Dr Sabyan Honey, Deputy Director, Business Development, and Dr Robert Malek, Pesticide Risk Reduction Expert, outlined to ABIM participants how Pakistan’s newly approved biopesticide registration guidance will help boost the country’s biopesticide market.

Dr Melanie Bateman, Integrated Crop Management Advisor, also took part in ABIM where all CABI scientists also took the opportunity to collaborate with partners including Dr Saliou Niassy, Coordinator of the Inter-African Phytosanitary Council (AU-IAPSC).

More sustainable approach to manage crop pests and diseases

By taking a more sustainable approach to manage crop pests and diseases, it is hoped that high levels of aflatoxins and pesticide residues exceeding maximum residue levels (MRLs) affecting food such as maize, chillies and groundnuts, will be reduced.

As part of the PlantwisePlus-funded project ‘Registration of biopesticides in Pakistan,’ CABI has been working in partnership with MNFS&R to implement the biopesticide registration guidance and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices.

The work has also involved collaboration with the DPP, CropLife Pakistan, the Pakistan Crop Protection Association, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Agriculture is very important to Pakistan’s economy and people

Agriculture is to the bedrock of Pakistan’s economy and society. It is the largest sector, employing over 42% of the workforce and contributing around 24% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

However, an increased demand for food to meet Pakistan’s growing population – predicted to nearly double to 403 million by 2050 – is challenged by low agricultural productivity due to losses caused by a range of crop pests and diseases.

There is an overreliance on pesticides to try and manage the scourge of crop pests and diseases in Pakistan with the market – currently valued at over $300 million – expected to rise to $500 million in the next five years.

Previously, Pakistan’s regulatory system was more directed towards the registration of chemical pesticides. This hindered biopesticides being commercialised and impeded their widespread use.

Guidance will help revolutionize crop protection in Pakistan

Dr Kuhlmann said, ″It is now hoped that the newly approved biopesticide registration guidance will help revolutionize crop protection in Pakistan and see the country place more emphasis on food safety and ecosystem conservation, putting more sustainable pest management solutions at the forefront of policy and practice.″

The pathway towards the biopesticide registration guidance gathered pace in July 2020 when CABI formally submitted a draft document to the DPP for incorporation into its regulatory system.

The document included new application forms for the registration of biopesticides and relevant information – particularly with regards to minimum data requirements for the registration of active ingredients and formulated products; exemptions from registration; and guidance for waivers.

Biopesticides registration guidance is testament to the power of partnerships

Over the last three years, the DPP led various consultation sessions with relevant stakeholders and authorities and concluded their due review process of the biopesticides registration guidance document.

The biopesticides registration guidance document was discussed and approved through a Cabinet Committee on Legislative Committee (CCLC) Meeting held in January 2024.

Dr Honey said, ″The road to the biopesticides registration guidance is testament to the power of partnerships and the shared ambition to drive positive change towards greater sustainable agriculture that demands better food quality and safety amid the challenges posed by crop pests and diseases.″

Capacity building and incentivizing the use of biocontrol solutions

Key actions of ABIM included prioritizing biocontrol authorization so that farmers have products now and new active substances within two years. Another key action emphasized the need to ensure that farmers are at the table when it comes to decision making and investing in capacity building and incentivizing the use of biocontrol solutions.

A previous CABI-led project ‘Regulatory harmonization in Pakistan for maximum residue limits and biopesticides,’ funded by USAID and USDA, saw CABI working with partners and Pakistani chili growers to increase their compliance with aflatoxin international standards and MRL regulations.

Meanwhile, the CABI BioProtection Portal – an open access tool to help identify suitable biocontrol and biopesticide products to manage plant pests and raise awareness about alternatives to pesticides – could also now been expanded to cover biopesticide products available in Pakistan.

Currently, the resource is available in 46 countries displaying over 4,000 bioprotection products – covering more than 900 crops and 2,200 pests.

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