How much-awaited UK Biopesticide Reforms will prove beneficial to industry

Bio-control is a worldwide issue, but the UK environment is particularly open to change right now, thanks to the post-brexit situation.

The Biopesticide Summit, which took place via a virtual platform on July 6, 2021, focused on regulatory challenges and called for reform to create a regulatory environment that nurtures and supports the Bioprotection (formerly known as Biopesticide) industry. This is a worldwide issue, but the UK environment is particularly open to change right now, thanks to the post-brexit situation.

During the summit a panel discussion was held on the need for reform, visions for a successful regulatory system, and how the World Bioprotection Forum (WBF) is working towards process reform in the UK biopesticide regulation. The panel discussion was led by Dr Minshad A Ansari Founder, Chairman, WBF.

During the discussion Tristan Jervis, Senior Public Affairs Consultant said, “The Uk-led reform would be highly beneficial to the industry. Enterprises and the large pesticide companies have taken the wise decision to develop biopesticide arms, wherein the benefits are faster, simpler, and less expensive. A better staff system can possibly have the impact of faster decisions being made, better decisions being made, more biopesticides being approved faster. Companies are going to benefit from these drives to push things through. Some changes happening would be extremely beneficial for the biopesticides industry.”

Sharing his thoughts, Nick Mole, Policy Officer, Pesticide Action Network (PAN) said,

“We have at the moment a unique opportunity as we look to develop our own standalone regulatory regime for pesticides. The UK can be a leader in the development and use of biopesticides. We can combine that with all the grand plans that we have got, like the 25-year environment plan. Whatever comes out of the National Action Plan

on Pesticides will drive down the use of older pesticides. We know that we are causing harm. If we fail to grasp this opportunity, it will be hugely disappointing.”

Divergent views

Talking about public opinion on bio-control in Germany, Prof. Dr Ralf-udo Ehlers, Owner/ Share Holder bei e-nema Gmbh said, “The major problem is that the majority of the public does not have an idea about bio-control. We don’t have them on our side. Many of the NGOS work against chemical pesticides and are not in favour of bio-control. Although we are progressing and working with them, many of the politicians and ministries are just ignoring us. Germany is

“The Uk-led reform would be highly beneficial to the industry. Enterprises and the large pesticide companies have taken the wise decision to develop biopesticide arms, benefits are faster, simpler, less expensive.”

Tristan Jervis, Senior Public Affairs Consultant

“The UK can be a leader in the development and use of biopesticides. We can combine that with all the grand plans that we have got, like the 25-year environment plan. Whatever comes out of the National Action Plan on Pesticides will drive down the use of older pesticides, as we know that we are causing harm.”

Nick Mole, Policy Officer, Pesticide Action Network (PAN)