EPPO/IOBC Workshop on the harmonized application procedures
for the use of Biological Control Agents

Rotterdam, NL, 2011-11-24/25

 

The joint EPPO/IOBC Workshop on the harmonized application procedures for the use of Biological Control Agents (Rotterdam, 2011-11-24/25) discussed the importance and safety aspects of the use of invertebrate biological control agents in plant protection in the EPPO region. 

 

Taking into consideration the discussions, the Workshop recommended the following:

  1. National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) of EPPO countries (or other national regulatory authorities as appropriate) should develop or improve their national regulations for the introduction and use of Invertebrate Biological Control Agents (IBCAs) for plant protection using the EPPO Standards:
    - PM 6/1     First import of exotic biological control agents for research under contained conditions
    - PM 6/2 Import and release of non-indigenous biological control agents
    - PM 6/3 List of biological control agents widely used in the EPPO region
     
  2. NPPOs of EPPO countries (or other national regulatory authorities as appropriate) should encourage the development of biological control of plant pests as an environmentally friendly part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) systems and an alternative to other plant protection methods, in line with the principles of sustainable use of pesticides.
     
  3. NPPOs of EPPO countries (or other national regulatory authorities as appropriate) should notify the EPPO Secretariat about the first commercial release or classical biological control releases of IBCAs that are non-native to the EPPO region. NPPOs of EPPO countries (or other national regulatory authorities as appropriate) are encouraged to notify the EPPO Secretariat with regards to the authorization for release of a classical biological control agent prior to the release.
     
  4. NPPOs of EPPO countries (or other national regulatory authorities as appropriate) should seek to improve cooperation with EPPO, IBMA and IOBC and between these organizations, in the field of regulation and the safe use of IBCAs including, the sharing of information between  regulators, researchers and industry to facilitate greater harmonization of regulatory procedures in the EPPO region.
     
  5. NPPOs of EPPO countries (or other national regulatory authorities as appropriate) should compile a list of all IBCAs currently used and/or licensed in their country and submit this information to the EPPO Secretariat.
     
  6. EPPO should organize a further Workshop for regulators and industry representatives to discuss the compilation of dossiers, information requirements and evaluation of environmental risk assessment data and information, to facilitate greater cooperation between regulatory authorities in the EPPO region.

 

 

Presentations

Augmentative biocontrol in EPPO and EU countries: an overview
Franz Bigler (Agroscope Zürich, Switzerland/IOBC) and Joop van Lenteren (Wageningen University, Netherlands)

 

Harmonisation of regulations for invertebrate biocontrol agents in Europe: progress, problems and solutions
Jeffrey Bale (University of Birmingham, UK)

 

Regulation of invertebrate biological control agents:an industry perspective
Johannette Klapwijk & Lieselot van der Veken (IBMA)

 

 

View more pictures of the Workshop