Biopesticides

EU Council Working Document Sets Out German Positions on Omnibus X Pesticides Options

The Council has circulated a LIMITE working document capturing Germany’s preferred options on key pesticides and biocontrol issues in the Omnibus X food and feed safety package, including drones, low-risk plant protection products, biocontrol definitions, treated seeds, data protection and basic substances. These positions signal where a major Member State is pushing to soften or tighten elements of the Sustainable Use Directive and Plant Protection Products Regulation, shaping the direction of upcoming EU negotiations but not yet changing legal obligations.

11 May 2026, 11:17data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands Outlines Voting Positions On Pesticide Dossiers For SCoPAFF May 2026 Meeting

In early May 2026, the Dutch government set out how it intends to vote on several pesticide dossiers at the 5–6 May SCoPAFF plant protection meeting, including changes to approval conditions, renewals, non-approvals and updated data requirements. These positions signal continued support for stricter data and neurotoxicity requirements and concern about water contamination from certain actives, foreshadowing EU decisions that could affect the availability and risk profile of key crop protection substances in the EU and Dutch markets.

9 May 2026, 13:29zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

European Commission Responds to Parliament Resolution on Faster Registration and Uptake of Biological Control Agents

In May 2026 the European Commission formally responded to Parliament’s resolution on faster registration and uptake of biological control agents, confirming that Parliament’s requests largely match the existing Food and Feed Safety Simplification proposals to amend the EU plant protection products regime. For companies developing biocontrol solutions and farmers relying on them, this signals strong political backing for a more streamlined, centralised and better resourced approval system, but no new regulatory obligations beyond the already tabled simplification package.

8 May 2026, 08:28data.europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

EFSA Workshop on Bacteriophage-Based Biopesticides for Plant Protection Products

In April 2026 EFSA convened an online bioNAS workshop with companies, the European Commission, and Member State authorities to discuss bacteriophage-based technologies for use in plant protection products. The published agenda and presentations signal increasing EU-level attention to how bacteriophage biopesticide dossiers will be evaluated, offering early insight for developers preparing future PPP submissions.

28 Apr 2026, 18:20efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Canada – Health Canada Consults on Proposed Registration Decision PRD2026-07 AQUABAC II XT Biological Larvicide

In April 2026, Health Canada opened a 45-day consultation on Proposed Registration Decision PRD2026-07 to extend registration of the AQUABAC II XT Biological Larvicide (Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis H-14, strain BMP-144) for use against fungus gnats on greenhouse ornamentals. If confirmed, this would add a new biopesticide option for greenhouse ornamental producers under the Pest Control Products Act, with low expected health and environmental risks but standard PPE and effluent controls that manufacturers and growers should factor into product planning and application practices.

24 Apr 2026, 08:48canada.caCanada

US EPA Seeks Comment on Wolbachia Pesticide Experimental Use Permit in New Jersey, California, and Florida

US EPA has opened a public comment period until 20 May 2026 on Google LLC’s application for a FIFRA experimental use permit to release Wolbachia-infected male Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in New Jersey, California, and Florida. The decision on this permit will set important precedent for large-scale field trials of biological mosquito control technologies under FIFRA, influencing future product strategies, risk assessments, and engagement plans for biopesticide and vector-control stakeholders.

23 Apr 2026, 08:16federalregister.govUnited States

China ICAMA Publishes Public Notice On New Kelp Polysaccharide And RNAi Tobacco Mosaic Virus Pesticides

China’s pesticide regulator ICAMA has issued a 10–16 April 2026 public notice on four new pesticide registrations, including kelp polysaccharide products and RNAi-based formulations targeting tobacco mosaic virus. If these registrations are finalised, they will broaden biological crop protection options and confirm a regulatory pathway for double-stranded RNA plant-virus pesticides in the Chinese market.

23 Apr 2026, 08:02icama.org.cnChina

EFSA Registers Intake for Pesticide Peer Review of Trichoderma paraviridescens #13 (EFSA‑Q‑2026‑00119)

In April 2026, EFSA registered an application to assess and peer-review the microbial pesticide active substance Trichoderma paraviridescens #13 under the EU Plant Protection Products Regulation. This intake signals the start of scientific evaluation for a potential new biopesticide, so crop-protection and agrochemical companies should track subsequent EFSA opinions and EU approval decisions affecting future market access conditions.

14 Apr 2026, 12:00open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands Supreme Court Upholds Conviction for Illegal Marketing of Unauthorised Plant Protection Products

The Dutch Supreme Court has upheld criminal convictions and fines for marketing unauthorized plant protection products and forging compliance documentation. This ruling confirms that market access violations carry significant criminal liability and financial risk, necessitating rigorous supply chain and documentation audits.

2 Apr 2026, 16:41deeplink.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

Netherlands Supreme Court Reduces Sentence in Case on Unauthorized Plant Protection Products and Document Forgery

The Netherlands Supreme Court has upheld the criminal conviction of a corporate manager for marketing unauthorized plant protection products and document forgery. This ruling reinforces the risk of personal criminal liability for corporate officers and signals rigorous enforcement of biocide and pesticide authorization requirements.

2 Apr 2026, 10:20uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

Netherlands Supreme Court Clarifies Profit Forfeiture for Sale of Unauthorized Plant Protection Products

The Dutch Supreme Court has upheld significant personal profit forfeiture orders against executives for marketing unauthorized plant protection products. This judgment signals a zero-tolerance approach to market non-compliance and establishes that directors face direct financial liability for illicit gains regardless of corporate structures.

2 Apr 2026, 10:19uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

EFSA Peer Review Intake and Upcoming Consultation for Black Pepper Oleoresin (BPO) Under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009

EFSA has scheduled a public consultation on the assessment of Black Pepper Oleoresin as a new pesticide active substance through June 2026. This review will determine the market access conditions and permissible use cases for this botanical extract in the European plant protection sector.

2 Apr 2026, 09:35open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU/EFSA Registers Intake Application for Allyl Isothiocyanate as New PPP Active Substance

EFSA has initiated the formal risk assessment of allyl isothiocyanate following a March 2026 application for its approval as a new active substance in plant protection products. This signals a potential expansion of the EU pesticide portfolio and requires stakeholders to monitor the evaluation for future market access and substitution opportunities.

1 Apr 2026, 14:17open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Switzerland Temporarily Authorises Helicovex (HearNPV) For Emergency Maize Pest Control

Switzerland has issued a temporary emergency authorization for the biopesticide Helicovex to manage maize pests through late 2026. This provides essential biological control for agricultural operations but underscores the ongoing regulatory reliance on short-term derogations for crop protection.

31 Mar 2026, 21:29fedlex.data.admin.chSwitzerland

Norway Consults on Amendments to Plant Protection Products Regulation

Norway is consulting on amendments to its plant protection framework that introduce stricter security clearances for hazardous fumigants and streamlined certification for biological forestry treatments. These changes signal a shift toward more granular risk management that balances enhanced security for high-hazard substances with reduced administrative barriers for lower-risk biological alternatives.

31 Mar 2026, 21:28hoering.mattilsynet.noNorway

EU Draft Implementing Regulation Proposes Renewal of cis‑tricos‑9‑ene for Biocidal Product‑Type 19

The European Commission has proposed renewing the approval of cis-tricos-9-ene for biocidal repellents and attractants with a comment deadline in May 2026. Businesses should review the specific use conditions and restrictions in the draft to ensure future product formulations and labels maintain compliance for continued market access.

31 Mar 2026, 19:40members.wto.orgEuropean Union

EU Commission Regulation Amending Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 on MRLs for Certain Substances

The European Commission moved in March 2026 to exempt five substances, including magnesium hydroxide and grape seed extract, from pesticide residue limit requirements. This inclusion in Annex IV reduces compliance costs and simplifies market access for food and feed operators by removing residue monitoring obligations for these low-risk substances.

31 Mar 2026, 19:01ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Japan Launches Re-evaluation of 41 Pesticide Active Ingredients (MAFF Notice No. 433)

Japan has designated 41 pesticide active ingredients for formal re-evaluation with staggered dossier submission windows beginning in April 2028. Companies must initiate technical data compilation and 15-year literature reviews to defend existing registrations and ensure continued market access.

28 Mar 2026, 20:30kanpo.go.jpJapan

France – Nouvelle-Aquitaine BSV Signals Reduced Sensitivity to Flonicamide in Apple and Pear Surveillance

French regional monitoring has identified laboratory-confirmed sensitivity shifts for the insecticide flonicamide in apple and pear orchards. This development signals potential future efficacy loss and heightened regulatory pressure, necessitating a shift toward resistance management and biocontrol alternatives.

28 Mar 2026, 20:27opusv2-prod.chambres-agriculture.frFrance

US EPA Announces NovoFly GE Screwworm Biopesticide Registration Application and Section 18 Emergency Exemption

The US EPA is reviewing a registration application and emergency exemption for NovoFly, a novel genetically engineered biopesticide, with public comments due by late April 2026. This signals a shift toward large-scale deployment of GE insect technology and requires stakeholders to monitor evolving biopesticide approval pathways and environmental impact standards.

28 Mar 2026, 16:32public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States