The Horizon EU-funded project, NextGenBioPest, is thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with RATION, another Horizon EU initiative focused on advancing regulatory frameworks for Low-Risk Pesticides (LRPs). This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the development and deployment of sustainable pest control solutions for European agriculture. Together, the two projects aim to redefine pest and pathogen management by integrating novel, eco-friendly approaches into European farming systems, providing an alternative to conventional chemical pesticides.
NextGenBioPest’s mission is to revolutionize crop protection by delivering an innovative toolkit for managing challenging arthropod pests and pathogens. This suite of tools encompasses a range of cutting-edge solutions, including new Biological Control Agents, RNA-based pesticides, Low-Risk (Green) chemicals, and plant resistance inducers. Focusing on key vegetable and fruit crops, NextGenBioPest offers state-of-the-art diagnostics for pest identification and a spectrum of agronomic and ecological practices that promise to improve yields while substantially reducing the need for harmful chemical pesticides. The ultimate goal is to provide farmers with practical, effective, and environmentally sustainable plant protection methods that are integrated with existing approaches for maximum impact.
RATION, on the other hand, addresses a critical challenge at the EU level: the regulatory barriers preventing Low-Risk Pesticides from reaching their full potential and market adoption. Low-Risk Pesticides, including plant extracts, pheromones, microbial pesticides, and ds-RNA solutions, represent promising alternatives to traditional chemical options but face stringent regulatory constraints that limit their accessibility to farmers and industries. RATION’s objective is to create a streamlined, science-based risk assessment framework tailored to LRPs, enabling faster and more efficient regulatory approvals that align with the unique characteristics of these innovative products.
A United Front for a Greener Agricultural Future
Through this partnership, NextGenBioPest and RATION are committed to fostering a paradigm shift in European agriculture by addressing two intertwined issues: developing pioneering, sustainable pest management solutions and creating a regulatory environment conducive to their widespread adoption. Together, these projects will tackle the pressing need for pest control innovations that are safe for both human health and the environment.
Key collaborative activities will include:
Mapping Regulatory Challenges and Innovations: RATION’s Work Package 1 (WP1) will map the current status of Low-Risk Pesticides in Europe, identifying key regulatory constraints and opportunities for improvement. This will inform NextGenBioPest’s approach to product development, ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory standards.
Risk Assessment Validation and Harmonization: RATION’s Work Packages (WPs 2-4) will validate novel risk assessment frameworks for various categories of Low-Risk Pesticides, including microbial pesticides, plant extracts, semiochemicals, pheromones, and ds-RNA solutions. These frameworks will be shared with NextGenBioPest to ensure that its toolkit aligns with the highest standards for environmental and human safety.
Socioeconomic Impact Analysis: RATION’s WP5 will assess the broader socioeconomic impacts of streamlined regulatory frameworks for Low-Risk Pesticides, providing critical insights that will help NextGenBioPest maximize the practical utility of its innovations for farmers and other agricultural stakeholders.
Enhanced Communication and Dissemination: Both projects will engage in extensive dissemination efforts through RATION’s WP6, promoting the new regulatory guidance and pest management solutions to policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the wider public.
Paving the Way for Sustainable Agriculture in Europe
The synergy between NextGenBioPest and RATION highlights the EU’s commitment to fostering sustainable agricultural practices that safeguard the environment and public health while enhancing productivity. This collaboration represents a promising pathway toward meeting Europe’s ambitious targets for pesticide reduction, ecological preservation, and food security.