The presentation entitled "Registration of microbial biopesticides as low-risk products in the European Union", which will be given by Núria Banyuls, Project Coordinator and expert in regulation of APIS (Applied Insect Science SL)
Dr. Núria Banyuls is a biologist, with a background in terrestrial ecology and agricultural sciences, and is specialized in integrated crop protection. Before becoming involved in regulatory affairs in 2015, he focused his activities on protein biochemistry and microbiological research for the biological control of insect pests.
Núria is a project coordinator and expert in regulation specialized in efficacy and evaluation of residues of biological and conventional substances and products.
Biopesticides: sustainable agricultural solutions
Biopesticides, including microorganisms, plant extracts (botanicals) and semiochemicals (pheromones), are becoming increasingly important in the plant protection product market. This new demand is partly due to the reduction in the number of synthetic active substances available and the growing interest in agricultural sustainability. Products used in bioprotection generally have little or no effect on human health, non-target organisms and the environment. However, the registration of bioprotection products is a demanding process and faces unique problems.
Since 2011, active substances and plant protection products are evaluated in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009. The requirements for the authorization of products and active substances of synthesis and of biological origin are practically the same, a fact that hinders the registration process of "green" products and substances. Some requirements that are easy to meet for synthetic substances are not applicable to microbiological ones for technical reasons, while precise taxonomic identification of the microorganism is necessary to determine the experimental data necessary for its authorization.
On the other hand, the main advantage of many biological control products is that their active ingredients are scientifically well known and there is prior natural exposure to them. Most of the microorganisms with phytosanitary interest can be considered as potentially low-risk substances, which entails a series of advantages in the evaluation and registration process compared to that of conventional substances, such as the extension of data protection or a smaller package of efficacy data according to the new EPPO PP1/296 guideline (1).
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