Biopesticides in the UK can we get regulatory

Biopesticides in the UK: can we get regulatory innovation? Dave Chandler University of Warwick 9/10/2020 1

RELU project team at Warwick • Dept of Politics & International Studies. Wyn Grant, Justin Greaves. • Warwick HRI. Dave Chandler, Gill Prince. • Dept of Biological Sciences. Mark Tatchell. 9/10/2020 2

Microbials: lack of products USA 150 - 210 Europe 60 Germany 10 France 15 Netherlands 15 UK 5 (data: EPA 2006, Agri-Food Canada 2005; PSD 2006) 9/10/2020 3

Biopesticides: why regulation is needed • Contribute to IPM, but natural doesn’t = safe. • Costs of regulatory failure are high. – UK BSE episode stifled regulatory innovation. • Public money invested in discoveries that never reach the market. • Need a system of regulation that will – lead to more products on market – & not sacrifice safety. 9/10/2020 4

New understanding of UK biopesticide regulation • Limitations of biopesticide regulatory system. • Cost / benefits of biopesticides – How is uptake constrained by social factors? – Policy network theory, workshops, interviews. – Identify processes that sustain regulatory innovation. • Compare regulatory models for pesticide use reduction: – UK (private governance) – Denmark, USA (legislative) 9/10/2020 5

Some problems: • Regulatory system in UK & EU is based on chemical model. – Acts as a barrier to commercialisation (ACP, 2003). – Emphasizes costs rather than benefits. – sustainability goals get forgotten in favour of short term objectives. • Need a tailored system for biopesticides (now happening). – But the regulator has a difficult job: resolve conflicts of interest. – Bureaucracy is shaped by what’s happened in the past. This affects what can be done in the future. 9/10/2020 6

Complex, highly regulated system for plant protection products in the EU • National authorisations. • EU wide arrangements. • Mutual recognition between states. • Doesn’t work. 9/10/2020 7

Biopesticides industry: a political maturity problem • ‘Biological control industry has the weakest policy network I have encountered’ (Grant). • Small industry largely made up of SMEs. • IBMA does not have resources of agrochemical industry, still undergoing organisational development. • Little coalition building with environmental groups. 9/10/2020 8

Fractured UK policy network retailers growers Biopesticide Regulator Biopesticide Industry (IBMA) Non government organisations Researchers 9/10/2020 9

Fractured UK policy network retailers growers UK biopesticide Regulator (PSD) Biopesticide Industry (IBMA) Non government organisations Researchers 9/10/2020 10

Problems of external costs • Financial costs of biopesticides are borne by producers. • But benefits are accrued down the food chain. • Need to pass benefits back to producers. 9/10/2020 11

Lack of knowledge • UK Advisory Committee on Pesticides – Group of experts, responsible for pesticide approvals including biopesticides. – Work with the regulator (Pesticides Safety Directorate) but have final say. – No expertise in biocontrol. 9/10/2020 12

Developments in UK • PSD – pilot project leads to Biopesticides Scheme. • Reduced fees, pre submission meetings. • Industry not taking full advantage. • Regulator = scientific public servants: keen to improve knowledge, want sustainable IPM. – Project team giving lectures, workshops. – Observe ‘closed’ meetings (PSD, ACP). 9/10/2020 13

For debate - subsidies • US IR-4 programme; safe & effective pest management solutions for growers of speciality crops. • Funded 43 projects since 1994 = $2. 85 M. • Works closely as a partner with EPA. • Supported growth of trade association. • Is there a market failure that can be remedied by government intervention in UK / EU? 9/10/2020 14

Some design principles for better regulatory system (UK, EU) • System must support sustainability objectives (economic, social, environmental). • An improved knowledge base & chain. • Stakeholders fully involved in debate about regulation, good communication links. • Biopesticides ‘champion’ (quasi-governmental), acting as advocate for biopesticides. • Address challenges posed by role of retailers, & complexities of regulatory state (EU). 9/10/2020 15

http: //www 2. warwick. ac. uk/fac/soc/pais/biopesticides/ Visit our website 9/10/2020 16