April 2025
The Biocontrol Coalition, alongside CropLife Europe and IBMA – International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association, supports a letter sent by the European Landowners Organization and COPA-COGECA urging the European Commission to take decisive action to accelerate access to biocontrol and low-risk plant protection products.
European farmers are facing increasing challenges. Climate change, stricter EU regulations, and rising global competition have made it more difficult than ever to protect crops and remain competitive. Since 2017, approximately one-third of conventional plant protection products have been withdrawn from the market. However, the introduction of effective and safer alternatives has not kept pace. The result is a growing gap in the tools available to farmers across the EU.
Biological and low-risk plant protection products represent a vital part of modern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. They offer an environmentally friendly complement to conventional treatments — but they are not being made available quickly enough. In Europe, the approval process for these products can take seven to nine years, while in countries like the United States and Brazil, similar approvals take just two to three years. This delay is not only undermining innovation but also creating a clear disadvantage for European farmers, who are being left behind while others benefit from EU-funded research.
In the joint letter, we call for a smarter, faster, and more flexible regulatory framework. Specifically, we urge the Commission to streamline the approval process for biocontrol products, make provisional authorisations workable in practice, and encourage mutual recognition of approvals across EU Member States. Additionally, we emphasize the need for investment in training and support so that farmers and cooperatives can test and adopt these new solutions with confidence.
The call aligns with the EU’s own Vision for Agriculture and Food, published in February 2025, which acknowledges the widening gap between product withdrawals and the introduction of safer alternatives. Without action, this trend could threaten the EU’s ability to ensure sustainable food production and environmental stewardship.
The Biocontrol Coalition remains committed to promoting science-based, innovative solutions for sustainable farming. Ensuring timely access to biocontrol tools is essential to help European farmers stay productive, competitive, and resilient — today and in the future.