Political deafness may impede transition to biological control

Johan A Stenberg; Paul G Becher; Mattias Jonsson; Magnus Karlsson; Ingvar Sundh; Maria Viketoft

doi:10.1016/j.tplants.2023.02.005

Political deafness may impede transition to biological control

Trends Plant Sci. 2023 May;28(5):498-500. doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2023.02.005. Epub 2023 Mar 16.

Authors

Johan A Stenberg¹, Paul G Becher², Mattias Jonsson³, Magnus Karlsson⁴, Ingvar Sundh⁵, Maria Viketoft³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 23422 Alnarp, Sweden. Electronic address: johan.stenberg@slu.se.
² Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 23422 Alnarp, Sweden.
³ Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
⁴ Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
⁵ Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden.

PMID: 36934039
DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2023.02.005

Abstract

Biological control has developed into a realistic alternative to replace chemical pesticides. A long-awaited paradigm shift is now adopted by the European Commission through a proposed new Regulation on sustainable use of plant protection products. Unfortunately, the scientific framework underpinning biocontrol is seriously neglected, impeding transition to sustainable plant production.

Keywords: biocontrol; biological control; bioprotection; integrated pest management; pathogen; pest.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Deafness*
Pest Control, Biological
Pesticides*

Substances

Pesticides