The demand for biopesticides in agriculture

Concerns about sustainability and the environmental impact of conventional pesticides continue to drive interest in biopesticides. However, manufacturers looking to meet this increased demand must navigate a complex regulatory landscape. In today’s connected world, it’s important to take a global perspective as well as focusing on individual target markets. Regulations evolve over time and can be influenced by wider trends in other parts of the world. With a well-informed regulatory strategy, it’s possible to forge a more streamlined path that reduces time to market.

Here we consider regulatory frameworks in the United States (US), Canada, the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) as principal markets of interest.

What are biopesticides?

Biopesticides are plant protection products derived from natural materials including plants, microbes and minerals. They include biochemical pesticides (naturally occurring substances) and microbial pesticides (microorganisms) as well as plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs). The latter definition is specific to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and refers to pesticidal substances produced by plants that contain added genetic material. Microbial products, which constitute the majority of the biopesticide market, are the main focus of this paper.

A diverse global picture

This snapshot of regulatory frameworks for biopesticides in the US, Canada, EU and UK highlights the complexity
that exists within and between markets.