Farmers need to have a toolbox of solutions to tackle the challenges that lie ahead, according to Olivier de Matos of CropLife Europe, an organisation that represents the crop protection sector in Europe.

“Over the last six years, we lost more than 80 active substance[s] and we only had one approved. So, basically it means there is a problem in terms of authorisation of the active substances; in terms of the speed of review.

“It takes more than 11 years for a conventional pesticide to be reviewed at European level and up to seven for bio-controls,” de Matos noted.

“At the end of the day, we are losing more than we are getting and that actually reduces the number of solutions for farmers. That makes their life very difficult,” he said.

The cost of bringing a new active substance in crop protection to market is about €120 to €130m.

It is essential that products that get to market are safe and as the length of time to register is so long, the Irish Farmers Journal asked him whether it is prohibitive.

Efficient

“Europe is still an important market. There is a big farming community at European level,” the director general of Crop Life Europe noted.

However, he did say things need to become efficient.

“There is a need to recognise that the assessment process is far too slow and that innovation is not arriving fast enough to the farms.

“We want to advocate for quicker access to innovation because it’s not about one solution only. It’s about a toolbox of solutions and when you talk about the new generation of conventionals, bio-controls, we still have too little approvals of bio-controls.

“NGTs will hopefully be voted favourably soon and digital and precision agriculture. These are part of the integrated solutions that are mentioned that are an option for the European market,” he said.

It should be noted the votes on those NGTS are taking place in Europe next week.

Solutions boost

“All these solutions have to be boosted. All this innovation has to be supported. Our members have made a commitment to 2030 to invest €4bn in bio-control and €10bn in digital and precision agriculture solutions. So that shows commitment.

“Europe is still a market. There is still a belief in the European market. At the same time, we need to have a regulatory framework that supports the innovation; that fosters innovation, so that we are in a position to offer solutions to the farmers,” he added.

You can hear the full interview with Olivier on this week’s Tillage Podcast.

The Animal and Plant Health Association in Ireland is a member of CropLife Europe.