Biopesticide innovation on the rise: Will European policies adapt promptly?
The European Union (EU) is currently facing a significant challenge in its agricultural sector, as traditional crop protection methods are becoming less effective against pest pressures. This crisis is compounded by the dwindling number of chemical crop protection options available. One potential solution to this problem lies in the use of peptide-based insecticides, but these innovative products are currently hampered by outdated regulatory definitions.
Peptides, naturally-derived substances, are not yet formally recognized as "biologicals" under EU law. Instead, they are treated like synthetic chemical pesticides, subjecting them to a resource-intensive and lengthy approval process. This regulatory status acts as a major bottleneck, stifling innovation and creating a disincentive for companies developing sustainable crop protection solutions based on peptides.
Despite their good environmental and safety profiles, peptide-based biopesticides must undergo the same rigorous and costly evaluation as synthetic pesticides. This delay in market access and increased cost is a significant issue, particularly when considering the potential of these products to address the growing ineffectiveness of older chemistries and the lack of viable new tools.
However, some progress has been made. For example, the peptide-based bioinsecticide SPEAR® LEP, derived from spider venom peptides, was granted a 120-day emergency use authorization in Portugal to combat tomato leafminer due to resistance issues with conventional insecticides.
The European Commission has proposed to accelerate access for biopesticides as part of its Vision for Agriculture and Food, with an expected regulatory framework update by the end of 2025. For this to positively impact innovation and sustainable crop protection, the new framework must explicitly include peptides; otherwise, the regulatory system continues to undermine their potential and signals reluctance to modernize regulations in line with EU climate goals.
The technology for peptides is here and the demand from growers is real. Companies like Vestaron, led by President and CEO Juan Estupinan, are at the forefront of this innovation. Estupinan, who has served as CFO and held senior roles at biotech firms including Aptinyx, Durata Therapeutics, and Abbott, has developed nature-inspired peptide biopesticides that are biodegradable, highly selective, and preserve pollinators and beneficial species.
Brussels must act boldly and inclusively to modernize its crop protection approval processes to include a clear pathway for peptide-based products. By doing so, the EU can not only foster innovation but also meet its sustainability targets. The next few months will be pivotal in ensuring regulatory alignment for peptide-based products, ensuring a more sustainable future for European agriculture.
The EU's pesticide use has already shown a significant decline, with a 46% reduction from the 2015-2017 baseline and an additional 6% since 2022. The Farm to Fork Strategy, the Green Deal, and efforts to reduce synthetic pesticide use aim to reduce agriculture's ecological footprint and increase food system resilience. Peptides, with their high safety and sustainability standards, are a critical part of this solution.
In conclusion, the current EU regulatory framework negatively impacts innovation in sustainable crop protection by not suitably accommodating peptide-based insecticides. While some emergency measures allow temporary use, a formal revision recognizing peptides as biopesticides is necessary to foster innovation and meet sustainability targets. The EU risks falling behind in agtech innovation if it does not modernize its crop protection approval processes, and the time for action is now.
Science and environmental-science intersect in the pursuit of sustainable crop protection solutions, as peptide-based biopesticides offer an innovative approach to addressing pest pressures in agriculture. However, outdated regulatory definitions within health-and-wellness, specifically the EU law that does not formally recognize peptides as "biologicals," hinder their approval and development. Fitness-and-exercise for the EU regulatory system would be to modernize its crop protection approval processes and explicitly include peptides in the updated framework, thereby fostering innovation and meeting sustainability targets.
