IFOAM Organics Europe, FiBL and IBMA, the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association have together organised the event 'Biocontrol in organic: managing plant health with complementary practices' in the European Parliament, a few days before the publication of the Food and Feed Safety omnibus. The event, hosted by MEP Madjouline Sbai, addressed the organic approach to biocontrol and its specific needs.
"The current EU approval system for biocontrol is far too slow, meaning European farmers, organic or conventional, do not have biocontrol products already widely used by farmers in the rest of world. Organic farmers are pioneers of biocontrol using it extensively and these delays in registration are limiting their pest and disease control choices.'' explained Jennifer Lewis, Executive Director of IBMA.
In February 2025, the European Commission recognised these challenges in its Vision for Agriculture and Food. They announced specific measures for biocontrol by amending the plant protection products Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 through the Food and Feed Safety omnibus.
For MEP Madjouline Sbai, who hosted the event, "Biocontrol offers farmers real, safer alternatives to chemical pesticides, and Europe must accelerate access to these solutions. But speeding up low-risk biocontrol cannot become an excuse to weaken safeguards for hazardous chemicals. We need coherent policies: fast-track the safe options, and keep strong protections for health and the environment."
This was also highlighted during the event by Eric Gall, Deputy Director of IFOAM Organics Europe: "Policymakers' discussions on adjusting risk assessment and approval processes for biocontrol substances are welcome, but they should be limited to biocontrol solutions only, and should not be extended to synthetic pesticides. Legislative developments should follow the approach taken by MEPs in their own-initiative report, which kept the debate clearly focused on biocontrol. This clarity is essential for more consensual and effective decision-making and to ensure that the necessary measures are implemented."
During the event, participants discussed several measures to strengthen the role of biocontrol. They called for a clear EU-wide definition that distinguishes biocontrol from conventional pesticides, along with a faster approval process for active substances and their products, including options like provisional authorizations, skipping renewal when there's no scientific need, and making label expansions easier. They also emphasized the need for more efficient national procedures and stronger mutual recognition across Member States. Adequate resources and expertise within EFSA and national authorities were highlighted as essential, as was better alignment with the Organic Regulation, since products authorized at the EU level must also be cleared for organic production.
"This event also placed biocontrol in a broader context, emphasizing that the basis of plant health lies in healthy ecosystems, which can be achieved through sound agronomic management, like organic farmers do," said Stefano Torriani, Head of the Department of Crop Sciences of FiBL Switzerland.'
For more information:
IFOAM Organics Europe
Email: [email protected]
organicseurope.bio/
FiBL
Email: [email protected]
fibl.org/en/
