BIOCONTROL
What is biocontrol?
Biocontrol products are macrobials or plant protection products based on active substances of natural origin; they are either directly derived from natural components or organisms, or nature-identical if synthesized. They are used to manage pests and diseases in agriculture, horticulture as well as in home & garden and forestry.
IBMA currently considers within the scope of biocontrol:
Semiochemicals
Semiochemicals
Semiochemicals are substances emitted by plants, animals and other organisms used for intra-species and/ or inter-species communication and have a target specific and non-toxic mode of action.
Microbials
Microbials
Are based on microorganisms, including but not limited to bacteria, fungi, protozoans, viruses, viroids, mycoplasmas, and may include entire microorganisms, living and dead cells, any associated microbial metabolites, fermentation materials and cell fragments.
Invertebrate Biological
Control Agents
Invertebrate Biological Control Agents
Also called macrobials, are natural enemies such as insect, mite and nematode species providing control of pest populations through predation or parasitism.
Natural substances
Consist of one or more components that originate from nature, including but not limited to: plants, algae/microalgae, animals, minerals, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, peptides*, protein* (e.g. antibodies and enzymes), RNA** (involved in RNAi), viruses, viroids and mycoplasmas. They can either be sourced from nature or are nature identical if synthetized. This definition excludes semiochemicals and microbials.
Peptides and proteins
*Among natural substances, IBMA considers that peptides and proteins containing sequence modifications of a peptide/protein sourced from nature are deemed nature-identical provided all of the following conditions are met:
01
They contain only naturally occurring amino-acids
02
Such modifications do not change the 3-dimensional structure.
03
Such modifications do not change the biological function
04
The biological breakdown occurs in a predicted way according to a natural pathway.
**Among natural substances, RNA (involved in RNAi), sourced from nature, is deemed nature-identical provided all of the following conditions are met:
01
They contain only naturally occurring nucleotides
02
The biological breakdown occurs in a predicted way according to a natural pathway
03
Such modifications do not change the intended biological function against a target mRNA in the target organism, including pests, pathogens or weeds