The EU Commission's text responds to long-standing calls to improve the efficiency of the regulatory system and facilitate access to innovative crop protection solutions. As discussions on the legislative package are ongoing, FiBL welcomes the objective of supporting innovation while highlighting several scientific considerations.
"Farmers need effective and sustainable tools to protect their crops, and faster access to innovative biocontrol products is an important objective," says Stefano Torriani, Head of the Department of Crop Sciences at FiBL. "The challenge is to accelerate innovation while maintaining a high level of protection for human health, biodiversity and the environment."
Supporting innovation through efficient regulation
FiBL supports efforts to accelerate the authorisation of biocontrol products and recognises the need to reduce delays that have limited farmers' access to innovative crop protection solutions across Europe.
At the same time, maintaining confidence in the regulatory system requires that scientific assessments remain independent, transparent and based on the best available evidence. As regulatory responsibilities evolve, FiBL considers it important that scientific expertise and assessment capacity continue to match the growing demand for timely and robust evaluations.
Periodic reassessment remains essential
One of the proposed changes is the possibility of unlimited approval periods for certain active substances. While this could reduce administrative burden, FiBL believes that periodic reassessment remains an essential feature of a science-based regulatory framework.
Scientific knowledge evolves continuously, and new evidence on environmental impacts, toxicological effects or resistance development may emerge years after a product has entered the market. Regular review allows regulators to take this new knowledge into account and verify that products continue to meet current safety and performance standards.
This is also important for farmers. Over time, pests and pathogens can develop resistance to crop protection products, reducing their effectiveness under field conditions. Periodic reassessment helps ensure that authorised products continue to provide the expected level of protection, allowing farmers to make informed management decisions while supporting sustainable crop protection.
A robust definition of biocontrol
FiBL welcomes the proposal to introduce a harmonised legal definition of biocontrol products, recognising that greater regulatory clarity would benefit both innovators and regulators across Europe.
However, the institute also considers that the future definition should be scientifically robust and provide clear boundaries for determining which products qualify as biocontrol. A well-defined regulatory framework will help ensure that genuinely low-risk biological solutions benefit from dedicated procedures while maintaining appropriate scientific assessment for other types of products.
"The goal should be smarter regulation, not weaker regulation," concludes Stefano Torriani. "The EU can accelerate access to genuinely sustainable crop protection solutions while fully preserving scientific integrity and environmental responsibility."
As the legislative process continues, FiBL will contribute its scientific expertise to the discussion, supporting a regulatory framework that encourages innovation while maintaining the high standards that underpin European food systems and environmental protection.
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ec.europa.eu: Simplification of legislation