Biological pesticides

Biopesticides Steering Group Seminar Series

Biopesticides Workshops

Publications on Biological Pesticides

OECD Conference on Innovating Microbial Pesticide Testing (13-16 September 2022)

The OECD hosted a conference on Innovating Microbial Pesticide Testing in September 2022. The full proceedings of the conference with papers prepared subsequently by each of the speakers, are available here: Innovating Microbial Pesticide Testing: Conference Proceedings.

OECD work on biological pesticides

The OECD programmes on Biological Pesticides (or BioPesticides including microbials - bacteria, algae, protozoa viruses, fungi -, pheromones and semiochemicals, macrobials/invertebrates such as insects and nematodes, and plant extracts/botanicals) was initiated in 1999 to help member countries harmonise the methods and approaches used to assess biological pesticides.

This programme helps governments work together to assess pesticide risks to man and the environment. The assessment of risks provides the basis for governments' decisions whether to approve, or "register," new biological pesticides and whether to renew the registration of old ones. By working together, governments can evaluate a biological pesticide's risks more quickly and thoroughly. This speeds up the process of approving safer new pesticides and stops the use of riskier ones.

The main outcomes of the programme are:

Guidance for the submission and evaluation of biological pesticide test data: OECD Formats and Guidance for Biological Pesticide Data and Reviews for microbials, and pheromones and other semio-chemicals; and

reviewing regulatory data requirements (and working towards their harmonisation) for three categories of biopesticides

Working Document on the Evaluation of Microbials for Pest Control (Series on Pesticides No. 43, 2008): this document is a set of examples and case studies aimed at helping the regulatory authorities to deal with these issues in the assessment of (microbial) biopesticides. This document includes chapters on:
Issue Paper on Microbial Contaminant Limits for Microbial Pest Control Products (Series on Pesticides No. 65, 2011);

Guidance to the Environmental Safety Evaluation of Microbial Biocontrol Agents (Series on Pesticides No. 67, 2012).

The OECD progressed towards harmonisation and work sharing through the development of the above-mentioned formats, guidance and working documents, and the organisation of seminars and workshops. The OECD will continue to facilitate the evaluation and assessment of biopesticides and promote harmonisation and work sharing.

Biopesticides steering group seminar series

Since 2009, the OECD has organised a Seminar series in order to focus on key issues in biological pesticides of concern to OECD governments and other stakeholders. The Seminars are intended to provide an opportunity for discussion, learning and information sharing. To date, Seminars on the following topics have been organised.

Date/Location	Event Title
June 2021, held online	11th Biopesticides Expert Group Seminar on Different Aspects of Efficacy Evaluation of Biopesticides, Series on Pesticides No. 107 Presentations
June 2019, Paris	10th Biopesticides Expert Group Seminar on Bioinformatics and Regulation of Microbial Pesticides, Series on Pesticides No. 103 Presentations
June 2018, Paris	9th Biopesticides Expert Group Seminar on Test Methods for Micro-organisms, Series on Pesticides No. 100 Presentations
June 2017, Paris	8th Biopesticides Steering Group Seminar on Niche Uses of Highly Specific Biocontrol Products, Series on Pesticides No. 95 Presentations
June 2016, Paris	7th OECD BioPesticides Steering Group Seminar on Sensitisation Potential of Micro-organisms Pesticides, Series on Pesticides No. 91 Presentations
May 2015, Paris	6th OECD BioPesticides Steering Group Seminar on Hazard and Risk Assessment of Secondary Metabolites Produced by Microbial Pesticides, Series on Pesticides No. 89 Presentations
March 2014, Paris	5th OECD BioPesticides Steering Group Seminar on Application Techniques for Microbial Pest Control Products and Semiochemicals: Use Scenarios and Associated Risks, Series on Pesticides No. 80 Presentations
June 2012, Paris	4th OECD BioPesticides Steering Group Seminar on Trichoderma spp. for the use in Plant Protection Products: similarities and differences, Series on Pesticides No. 74 Presentations
March 2011, Paris	3rd OECD BioPesticides Steering Group Seminar on Characterisation and Analyses of Botanicals for the Use in Plant Protection Products, Series on Pesticides No. 72 Presentations
May 2010, Paris	2nd OECD Biopesticides Steering Group Seminar on the Fate in the Environment of Microbial Control Agents and their Effects on Nontarget Organisms, Series on Pesticides No. 64 Presentations
July 2009, Paris	1st OECD Biopesticides Steering Group Seminar on Identity and Characterisation of Micro-Organisms, Series on Pesticides No. 53 Presentations

Biopesticides workshops group

OECD/KemI/EU Workshop on Microbial Pesticides: Assessment and Management of Risks, 17-19 June 2013, Saltsjöbaden, Sweden. (OECD Series on Pesticides No.76, 2014) (Presentations: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3)
Workshop on the Regulation of Biopesticides: Registration and Communication Issues, 15-17 April 2008, EPA, Arlington, USA. (OECD Series on Pesticides No. 44, 2009): The objectives of the workshop were:
Microbiological Plant Protection Products – Workshop on the Scientific Basis for Risk Assessment; 26-28 October 1998, Stockholm, Sweden

Agricultural pesticides and biocides

Biological pesticides