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Ensuring faster registration and uptake of biological control agents

TA-10-2025-0284 · P10_TA(2025)0284 · PE774.306

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

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Parliament calls on the Commission to establish an EU-wide legal definition of biological control solutions and a framework for faster approval and authorisation, including targeted revision of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. It urges streamlined procedures, mutual recognition, support for SMEs, and adequate resources to clear backlogs, while maintaining high safety standards. It also calls for a biocontrol strategy, research investment, farmer training, and monitoring of uptake, including in outermost regions.

Key points

  1. Calls on the Commission to establish a clear legal definition of biological control solutions and a framework for accelerated approval at EU and Member State level.
  2. Underlines that biological control agents have different risk profiles but are not risk-free, requiring adapted science-based risk assessment.
  3. Calls for a targeted revision of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 to cater for biocontrol active substances and products.
  4. Encourages Member States to use mutual recognition under Article 40 to accelerate authorisation and calls for a roadmap towards automatic mutual recognition.
  5. Calls for faster extension of authorisations to minor uses and consideration of extending approval periods up to 25 years for biocontrol.
  6. Recommends fast-track procedures and provisional authorisation for biocontrol products, subject to rigorous scientific assessment.
  7. Calls for a comprehensive biocontrol strategy and a toolbox assessment of future crop protection challenges.
  8. Calls for sufficient resources to clear backlogs and a priority lane for biocontrol applications, without delaying conventional assessments.
  9. Calls for technical support, a one-stop shop for SMEs, and dedicated helpdesks in Member States.
  10. Calls for inclusion of biocontrol measures in national action plans and effective implementation of Directive 2009/128/EC.
  11. Calls for investment in research, training, and advisory services, and for a digital EU platform for knowledge dissemination.
  12. Calls for monitoring of uptake and progress, and for ensuring outermost regions benefit from biocontrol.

Who is affected

  • Farmers: would gain faster access to biological control products and support for their use.
  • Biocontrol SMEs: would benefit from reduced administrative burdens and dedicated support.
  • Member States' competent authorities: would need to adapt procedures and allocate resources.
  • EFSA: would receive additional funding and staff for biocontrol assessments.
  • Outermost regions: would receive tailored guidance and support for biocontrol uptake.

Figures and deadlines

  • Up to 10 or 15 years for authorisation of biocontrol agents.
  • More than 100 requests for approval expected by 2028.
  • Approximately 70 % of EU biocontrol sector are SMEs.
  • Investment estimated between EUR 1,5 and EUR 4 million per substance.
  • Extended approval period up to 25 years for biocontrol active substances.

Legal basis: Articles 114 and 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union