Changes from plenary report to adopted text

RemovedEXPLANATORY STATEMENT

RemovedThis report addresses the need to accelerate the authorisation process for biological plant protection products (‘biocontrols’) in the European Union. Biocontrols include natural substances and organisms that can provide effective plant protection with lower associated risks than conventional chemical plant protection products and are a cornerstone of integrated pest management (IPM) and thus align with overarching EU strategies on biodiversity, food security and sustainable, competitive and resilient agricultural systems. To this day, it takes a very long time for biocontrol solutions to enter the market, since the current legal framework is not adapted to their nature, specificities and mode of action. Many farmers face increasing regulatory pressure to reduce the use of chemical plant protection products, while simultaneously needing to maintain crop yields and plant health. Applicants, who are often small and medium-sized enterprises, face high costs, legal uncertainty and fragmented national procedures. This discourages innovation and delays the availability of sustainable and affordable plant protection products for farmers.

RemovedThe co-rapporteurs call for a harmonised and innovation-friendly framework with a clear EU-wide definition of biological control, robust risk-assessment methods tailored to the specific nature of these products, and better use of mutual recognition between Member States to reduce duplication and speed up market access.

RemovedOther short-term measures aim to establish a clearer regulatory pathway for biocontrol solutions within the current framework for plant protection products. Approval processes could be accelerated through dedicated review mechanisms, increased resources, extended approval periods for low-risk biocontrol products, and the possibility of provisional authorisations under defined conditions. In the long term, the report suggests exploring the creation of a dedicated regulatory framework for biocontrol, supported by a thorough impact assessment, to promote greater coherence, predictability, and efficiency in their approval and authorisation.

RemovedIt is also stressed that faster approval must never come at the expense of safety. All authorisations should remain science-based, ensuring a high level of protection for health, non-target organisms, biodiversity and the environment. The aim of this report is not to eliminate conventional plant protection products but to establish a balanced, integrated plant protection system where safe and sustainable options are readily accessible and building on a broader toolbox for farmers, with the aim of building an efficient, predictable and science-based regulatory framework that improves fairness and planning certainty for farmers and the environment.

RemovedBeyond the necessary regulatory framework, uptake depends on knowledge, capacity, and investment. The report therefore calls for adequate resources for EFSA and national competent authorities, stronger training and advisory systems for farmers, the inclusion of biocontrol measures in Member States’ national action plans under Directive 2009/128/EC, enhanced cooperation between researchers, authorities and the private sector, and public and private investment in research and innovation to fill remaining pest-control gaps.

RemovedThe report reflects a broad consensus that current regulatory pathways need to be improved to ensure the availability of sustainable crop protection alternatives for farmers.