Microbials
Viruses, Bacteria &
Fungal Pathogens
Macrobials
Predatory mites &
insects,
nematodes
Semiochemicals
Pheromones, Plant
volatiles
Tools have been available for many decades
Natural
Products
Plant extracts,
Seaweed products
& Basic substances
e~nema SME, producing
nematodes, fungi + bacteria for IPM
Success Story: Biological Control in European Greenhouse Industry
Pests developed resistance against synthetic pesticides
Farmers used pesticides more frequencly and in higher dosis
Serious problems with pesticide residues in food
Accepted Residues (MRL)
Supermarkets go beyond governmental levels
30%
33%
40%
70%
50%
80%
100% Legal MRL
100% Legal MRL
Maximal pesticide Residue Level requested by
Supermarket chains in Italy
Maximal pesticide Residue Level requested by
Supermarket chains in Germany
Source: (Waldner W. Frutta e Vite, 2009)
Fruitlogistica 2013
Governmental support of 1000 €/ha to
pay for technical support
2004: 100 ha use of biocontrol
2010: All 40.000 ha use BCAs
Today greenhouse vegetables are
produced by IPM including
biological control agents
In outdoor agriculture, however,
biocontrol is not yet part of IPM

Exaggerating regulation of biological control agents
(micro-organisms, pheromones, botanicals)

Biocontrol agents regulated
according to EU Reg. 1107/2009,
following rules developed for
synthetic chemical compounds

EU Policy Support Action REBECA
gave recommendations for
improvement, but proposals have
not been implemented

Accelerate registration process (9 years is too long)

Formation of expert teams to handle BCAs only

Priorities for BCAs

Exaggerating regulation following rules developed for
synthetic chemical compounds

Although EU pesticide legislation and political outreach
is supporting non-chemical measures, the support for
introduction of biocontrol in MS is half-hearted
Integrated Pest Management in
European PP legislation
The Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 concerning the
placing of plant protection products on the market:
Point 35: To ensure a high level of protection of human
and animal health and the environment, plant protection
products should be used properly, in accordance with their
authorisation, having regard to the principles of integrated
pest management and giving priority to nonchemical and
natural alternatives wherever possible.
MS violate existing EU legislation
MS give Art. 53 “emergency authorisations” although
biocontrol agents are available.
Member States do NOT used PPP properly
MS give priority to chemical products

Exaggerating regulation following rules developed for
synthetic chemical compounds

Although EU pesticide legislation and political outreach
is supporting non-chemical measures, the support for
introduction of biocontrol in MS is half-hearted

Implementation of pesticide reduction programmes
exclude biological control
Sustainable Use Directive 2009/128 EC
Article 14: “the MS shall take all necessary measures to
promote low pesticide-input pest management, giving
wherever possible priority to non-chemical methods, so that
professional users of pesticides switch to practices and
products with the lowest risk to human health and the
environment
As a consequence, MS must developed NAPs to reduce
pesticide use in the EU

NAPs hardly consider biological control as a possible
means to reduce pesticides

EU funded projects like ENDURE and PURE „re-invent“
IPM, but do little for implementation of biological
control

Biological control is supporting greening of CAP

EU policy supports introduction of biocontrol

MS could do much more for implementation of
biocontrol in the EU