Building sustainable agriculture and an attractive countryside

Experiences with Pesticides of Natural Origin in The Netherlands The University of Warwick 31 st October 2007 Peter Leendertse and Joris van Herk Centre for Agriculture and Environment Project ‘Genoeg’ GEwasbeschermingsmiddelen van Natuurlijke Oorsprong Effectief Gebruiken = Effective use of natural pesticides

Topics 1. Definition PNO 2. Context 3. Genoeg: series of projects 4. Experiences 5. Future

Definition PNO Plant protection product of natural origin (PNO) include: Micro organisms, pheromones, plant enhancers, plant extracts, natural ‘chemical’ substances (minerals, natural gasses, etc). -> within project Genoeg also synthetically produced ‘natural’ pesticides

Context • In the Netherlands since mid nineties different governmental projects towards reduction of use (Multi Year Plan on Plant protection, Sustainable Plant Protection Plan) and towards stimulation of “use of natural products”. • Dutch law had a provision for low toxicity profile PPP’s (regulation exempted pesticides: RUB).

Chemical pesticides in water

Context Regulation Exempted Pesticides (RUB): • Pesticides that need not be evaluated because of their low toxicity profile (e. g. soap to control pests, beer to control slugs, seaweed extracts) • Very basic screening of toxicity profile • Is model for Genoeg approach for the evaluation of products (evaluate what is necessary risks assessment).

Genoeg: series of projects Initiative Horticultural Growers Organisation and Centre for Agriculture and Environment (CLM): – Especially horticulture has great need for organic and natural products – In certain crops, control of pests > 95% integrated pest management (mainly natural enemies)

Genoeg: series of projects Start in 2001 Aims: 1. Stimulate authorisation of natural products (cofinancing, help with dossier) 2. Issue management (gain more knowledge and spread knowledge to growers (excursions, seminars, website)) 3. Up-to-date inventory of PNO’s (separate good from bad products!) 4. Stimulate communication and advisory service on use of natural products 5. Be a clear signal to government and policy makers

Genoeg: series of projects Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture and - initially - the Product Board for Horticulture Current projectteam: • Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb): Hans Mulder • Plant Protection service (PD): Dirk Jan van der Gaag • CLM: Yvonne Gooijer & Joris van Herk Others: Wageningen University Research Centre (WUR, PPO), Dutch Organisation for Agriculture and Horticulture (LTO), National institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM)

Genoeg: series of projects 1. 2001 -2002: Exploration (analysis of parties, inventory of effective natural pesticides) 2. 2003: Issue management 3. 2003 -2005: Project Genoeg Toegelaten (support of 5 natural pesticides for use in glasshouses) 4. 2004 -2007: Project Genoeg Breed (support of 10 natural pesticides for all uses)

Genoeg: exploration • Extensive inventory of natural products used worldwide, resulting in 1200 products of which 250 with known efficacy. • Analyses of parties involved in natural crop protection in horticulture

Genoeg: issue management • Website www. genoeg. net • Seminars • Newsletters

Genoeg: support in registration procedure Activities 1. Support in registration • Literature research (RIVM/PD) • Helpdesk CTB • In house assistance of Ctgb during application process • ‘Finger on the pulse’ 2. Co-financing • 50% of costs for research and registration • max 100. 000 euro

Genoeg: support in registration procedure Approach: • No new set of requirements; within the present legal framework • What is the absolute minimum of data required? • Use as much as possible argumentations, extrapolations, justified risk assessment.

Genoeg: support in registration procedure Steps: • Selection by Genoeg Breed team (criteria) • Signing of commitment-contract • Primary literature search • First check on dossier data • Dossier amendment (argumentations) • Pre application completeness check by CTB Helpdesk • Go-no go point • Further dossier amendments • Filing of application

Genoeg: support in registration procedure Selection of products: • Product of natural origin • Data on efficacy and preferable tox available • Low toxicity profile • Successful authorisation expected • Company that will defend the product

Genoeg: Succesfull support Authorised products with support of Genoeg: • DIPPER (ascorbic acid): for disinfestation of bulbs • TRIANUM (Trichoderma harzianum): plant strengtheners • BOTANIGARD (Beauveria bassiana): against white flies in vegetables and flowers • ENZICUR (potassium-iodide and -thiocyanate): against mildew in roses etc. • PREFERAL (Paecilomyces fumosoroseus): against white flies in vegetables and ornamental plant cultivation • Regulation Exempted Pesticides (RUB): e. g. potassium phosphate, chitosan. Horti Fair Innovation Award 2007!

Genoeg: support in registration procedure At this moment: 7 agreements for support and cofinancing of 13 NEW products

Genoeg: experiences Pro’s: • 10 products authorised • Without help Genoeg applicants would not have started • Successful help during application process (lots of discussions), without help application would not have been successful • Financial help • All parties have learned a lot – Need for basic set of data – Better use and acceptance of argumentations – Increased insight in uses and risks involved – Exchange of views and start of discussions – Better mutual understanding

Genoeg: experiences Cons: • Despite help no quick process – learning process for all takes time • Discrepancy EU approach (all items adressed preferably by studies) vs. Genoeg approach (extended use of argumentations) • More communication and discussions between parties needed • Specialized advisors needed to assist potential applicants.

Context At this moment 51 PNO’s have a registration: • • 18 products based on micro-organisms 5 products based on sulphur 2 products based on plantextracts 26 products on Regulation Exempted Pesticides (RUB)

Building sustainable agriculture and an attractive countryside Future • Projects Genoeg will end 1/1/2008 • Discussion of follow up is ongoing • PNO’s can contribute to IPM, clean water and safe products • Items for discussion–governmental organisation, funding of applications and research, better use of advisors, stimulate use of products, communication and information management.