IFOAM Organics Europe Praises European Parliament’s Call for Increased Access to Biocontrol
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) Organics Europe welcomed the European Parliament’s own-initiative report on biocontrol, calling for a faster registration and uptake of biocontrol.
The report, which was adopted by MEPs, aims to increase access to biocontrol without compromising on rules for synthetic pesticides. IFOAM Organics Europe Director Eduardo Cuoco congratulated the MEPs for their efforts in keeping the report and requested measures targeted to biocontrol only.
Cuoco stressed the importance of not using the need for increased access to biocontrol as an excuse to weaken rules for synthetic pesticides, which have been linked to health issues, biodiversity loss, and contamination of soil and water.
The organic movement is highly concerned about the leak of the European Commission’s omnibus proposal, which reveals plans to amend Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 on the placing of Plant Protection Product (PPP) to the market. These changes would grant unlimited approvals for all types of PPPs, remove Member States’ obligation to consider the latest independent science, and double grace periods for using hazardous pesticides.
“Maintaining synthetic pesticides on the market indefinitely would be in complete contradiction with the ambition to increase the use of biocontrol and would be a serious step backward for public health and the environment. We command the European Commission’s sense of responsibility for following MEPs in keeping the discussion focused on biocontrol only,” said Cuoco.
The organic sector welcomes the clear demands from MEPs, including the introduction of an EU-wide definition for biocontrol, adapted risk assessment for biocontrol products, a stronger mutual recognition procedure, facilitated renewal process, provisional authorisations, support to small and medium-sized enterprises during the application preparation process, and increased capacity for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and national competent authorities.
President of IFOAM Organics Europe Jan Plagge highlighted the importance of addressing current regulatory barriers that limit the availability and access to biocontrol. He noted that while biocontrol products are an important tool in the holistic strategies used by organic farmers to manage pests and diseases, their availability is limited due to the risk assessment and approval procedures designed for synthetic pesticides.
However, while biocontrol can help reduce dependency on synthetic pesticides, the report continues to frame it as a complement to synthetic pesticides in a “wider toolbox,” noting that biocontrol cannot always substitute synthetic pesticides.
Plagge emphasized the need for broader measures to drive real changes in agricultural practices, highlighting the complementary plant health strategies developed by organic farmers. These strategies, based on preventive agronomic practices such as selecting resilient varieties, implementing crop rotations, and promoting functional biodiversity, have successfully managed plant health while limiting the use of external inputs.
He concluded by stating that biocontrol is not a “silver bullet” and only works well in well-managed ecosystems as part of combination strategies.
Biocontrol refers to nature-derived organisms and substances, such as essential oils, microorganisms, or semiochemicals, used to manage plant health. In organic systems, biocontrol is a tool used alongside preventive and agronomic measures, such as crop rotation and the use of natural enemies. Only 10% of organic agricultural land requires the use of natural substances in addition to preventive agronomic measures, with some crops requiring more than others, such as fruits and grapes.
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