SIAL/ Countries in the 27-member bloc have given the green light for measures that will make it easier for farmers to use plant protection products that contain micro-organisms, as an alternative to chemicals.
Fewer animal experiments may be carried out as a result of the changes, according to the European Commission.
The commission says that the loosening of the regulations – something that ties in with promises under its Farm to Fork Strategy – will make it easier for farmers to use sustainable methods to protect crops by giving a faster green light to the use of micro-organisms and plant protection products that contain them.
Micro-organisms – a term that encompasses bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa – have long been used to combat organisms, such as certain insects, that are considered pests by farmers.
In a statement, the European Commission said that before micro-organisms are used, their safety must be verified to ensure that there are “no negative consequences for human or animal health or towards non-target organisms”.
Current regulations treat the use of micro-organisms in a similar way to the use of chemicals, but in the updated regulations, the biology of each type of micro-organism will be taken into account.
