Regulation of biological control agents and the EU policy support action REBECA

Abstract

Biological control uses living organisms like bacteria, fungi, nematodes, insects or mites (including viruses) for the control of weeds or pests and diseases of crop plants. Information on the use of these biocontrol agents and associated risks are summarized. An overview on the regulation of biological control agents and an introduction into the objectives and the organisation of the Policy Support Action REBECA is provided. The history of regulation of chemical compounds is compared with the development of regulation of biocontrol. Often the precautionary principle is consulted to justify anticipatory restrictions in regulation. A comment of the European Commission on the use of the principle is analysed and the consequences for regulation of biological control agents are discussed. The different stakeholders (academia, industry, farmers and producers, consumers and the retail sector, environmentalists organised in non-government organisations, regulatory authorities and policy makers) and their interests in regulation are described. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.