The report is a clear signal that the European Parliament wants to accelerate the approval of nature-friendly agents. The call focuses on biocontrol: agents based on natural organisms such as bacteria and fungi.
These aids used in cultivation for processing in agriculture and greenhouses are currently assessed by European inspection services as if they were chemical pesticides, causing approvals to take many years. The EFSA inspection says it does not have enough staff for this.
The slow procedure prevents farmers from using innovative, less risky agents that are already available elsewhere in the world. Various studies have identified this as a bottleneck that must be resolved urgently.
The report calls for a dedicated, modern EU regulation for biocontrol. Currently, one set of rules applies to both chemical and natural agents, which according to the documents leads to unnecessary delays and bureaucracy.
Additionally, the rapporteurs advocate immediate improvements within the current legislation. For example, a separate assessment track must be created that better aligns with natural agents, and additional capacity must be provided to the evaluating authorities.
One of the proposed steps is the establishment of a fast "priority lane" at the European Food Safety Authority, so that scientific assessments can be handled more efficiently.
Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP) also believes that the approval of new crop protection agents is taking too long, while farmers and horticulturists urgently need these agents. "It is good that the European Parliament is urging the European Commission to accelerate the approval of biological agents as soon as possible."
Dutch BBB politicians Sander Smit and Jessika van Leeuwen said that they have also been advocating this for years.
At the same time, this week green MEPs warned in an urgent letter that existing safety guarantees for chemical pesticides must not be weakened. The Greens expressed their concerns about plans for unlimited approval durations, fewer obligations for new scientific insights, and longer transition periods for banned substances.
According to the letter, easing chemical regulations would go against what European citizens have repeatedly requested: increased protection against harmful pesticides. Therefore, the signatories call on the Commission to focus the Omnibus (loosening and reduction of EU rules) specifically on faster approval of biological alternatives, and not on dismantling existing protection standards.