Introduction to PM 6 Standards on Safe use of biological control

Abstract

EPPO Standards are approved by the EPPO Council. The date of approval appears in each individual standard. In the terms of Article II of the IPPC, EPPO Standards are Regional Standards for the members of the EPPO.

EPPO Standards are subject to periodic review and amendment. The next review date for this set of EPPO Standards is decided by the EPPO Working Party on Phytosanitary Regulations.

Amendments will be issued as necessary, numbered and dated. The dates of amendment appear in each individual Standard (as appropriate).

The EPPO Standards on the safe use of biological control are intended to be used by NPPOs or equivalent authorities in their capacity as bodies responsible for overseeing and, if appropriate, regulating the introduction and use of biological control agents.

NPPOs of the EPPO region generally promote the use of biological control in plant protection because, like other aspects of integrated pest management, it reduces risks to human health and the environment. Use of biological control agents may, nevertheless, present some risks, in particular for the environment if non-indigenous agents are introduced from other continents, and for the user if agents are formulated as plant protection products. In general, the latter case can be covered by EPPO Standards of series PP, concerning plant protection products. The aim of the EPPO Standards on the safe use of biological control is to provide NPPOs with guidelines for assessing and reducing the risks associated with various aspects of the introduction and use of biological control agents and, as appropriate, for comparing them with the benefits in terms of efficacy. The EPPO Standards seek to make the administrative framework for the introduction and use of biological control agents as light as practically possible to sustain a general policy of promotion of biological control.