Do we need regulatory changes to make biopesticides a mainstream solution? Dr Justin Greaves, University of Warwick

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Do we need regulatory changes to make
biopesticides a mainstream solution?Dr Justin
Greaves, University of Warwick
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What are biopesticides?

• Biopesticides are mass produced biologically
  based agents used for the control of plant pests.
  They include
• - Living organisms (natural enemies)
• invertebrates, nematodes and
  micro-organisms
• - Naturally occurring substances
• plant abstracts, semiochemicals (eg
  insect pheromones)
  
• - Genes (USA)
• plant incorporated products

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A mainstream solution?

• Mainstream in the market or politically?
• Currently not mainstream (except perhaps in the
  protected crops market)
• Could regulatory changes make them mainstream?
• Is something else needed?
• Or are biopesticides destined to remain on the
  sidelines?

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Why such a low take-up?

• Regulatory failure hypothesis systematic
  problems arising in regulation along with
  specific problems (the use of a chemical
  pesticide-driven regulatory model by PSD)
• Market failure hypothesis the market size is too
  small to provide economies of scale and to
  encourage firms to enter. Biopesticides are niche
  products so the market size for any one product
  is small

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The Biopesticides Scheme

• PSD introduced a Pilot Scheme in June 2003 to
  encourage alternative control measures
• Permanent Biopesticides Scheme introduced in
  April 2006 (eg Biopesticides Champion)
• Outcomes have been modest, although favourable
  compared with the preceding period

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Registration costs

• Despite the Biopesticides Scheme, registration
  costs are arguably still too high
• The big cost is the testing required to meet
  registration requirements. Changes in the rules
  for efficacy testing may help biologicals
• Should market forces decide which products are
  efficacious (no efficacy testing in US)?

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The promotion of alternatives

• Do we need a biopesticides champion
  organisation with a clear advocacy role?
• Expertise could be built up within PSD and ACP
• Would changes in regulatory design help the
  promotion of alternatives (eg current
  consultation on the future of PSD)?

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Conclusions

• Regulatory innovation can increase take-up
• Other possible solutions pesticides tax, making
  mutual recognition work, assisting commercial
  development (Eco zones/91/414 reform in progress)
• Can they ever be a mainstream solution? They have
  a low profile amongst policy makers and have not
  yet realised their full potential

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Please visit our website http//www2.warwick.
ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/biopesticides Acknowledgements
Prof Wyn Grant Prof Mark Tatchell Dr David
Chandler Gillian Prince (University of Warwick)