Parliamentary question - E-000464/2024(ASW)Parliamentary question
E-000464/2024(ASW)

Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission

The Commission would like to point out that regulation (EC) No 1107/2009[1] already provides incentives for low-risk active substances and plant protection product containing them, notably a longer initial approval period and shorter deadlines for Member States for completing authorisation procedures.

The Commission has repeatedly called on Member States to fully exploit these possibilities. Other possibilities for accelerating market access for low-risk products were discussed in a recent workshop[2].

The Commission has already taken action. It has drawn up several Guidance Documents aiming at facilitating the approval of micro-organisms and botanicals (plant extracts).

It has adopted four Regulations updating data requirements, assessment methodologies and approval criteria for micro-organisms and products containing them to facilitate their access to the market[3] and has also provided training and financial support to Member States to increase technical expertise and capacity to assess applications related to micro-organisms.

Two other Guidance Documents were endorsed in January 2024, facilitating the approval of semiochemicals (pheromones) and providing guidance for applicants and regulators towards a more fit-for-purpose environmental risk assessment.

The rules for the placing on the market of macro-organisms for plant protection are not harmonised on EU level. A study recently carried out by the Commission[4] inferred that there is no sufficient added value of EU intervention compared to action taken at Member State level.

To accelerate the application of biotechnology for climate and sustainability, the Commission will explore how to accelerate market approval of sustainable, low-risk bio-pesticides.

Last updated: 4 April 2024
Legal notice - Privacy policy