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Last week the European Biostimulants Industry Council (EBIC) posted an article about the voting results of the IMCO Committee with good news about the biostimulant industry. They have sent a strong signal to the biostimulants industry promoting a single market and innovation.


July 13, 2017 by Lili Chatzikonstantinou
(EBIC)
http://www.biostimulants.eu/2017/07/european-parli...


The voting results of the IMCO Committee have sent a strong signal to the biostimulants’ industry promoting a single market and innovation. In contrast to other fertilising products, the biostimulant industry lacks EU wide rules for market access and product approval.

The committee supported key elements for the creation of a fair EU market for biostimulants. These include:

  • the definition of biostimulants and clarification of the boundary with plant protection products;
  • the need to develop safety criteria and harmonized standards, in particular for micro-organisms, and
  • fostering the circular economy through better use of plants and plant extracts.


A single harmonized market for biostimulants will help EU farmers to become more competitive and sustainable, while reducing their impact on the environment. A single market will also ensure that the European biostimulants’ industry remains the world leader.

“The IMCO committee has taken positive steps today in support of innovation and the creation of a single market for the biostimulants’ industry. However, our work is far from complete,” says Giuseppe Natale, President of the European Biostimulants Industry Council (EBIC).

In order to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by a single market for biostimulants, further improvements to the regulation are needed. Amongst others, EBIC calls for the reintroduction of normal REACH requirements, particularly important for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), as well as adequate protection of data and trade secrets.

Following the vote of the IMCO committee, EBIC will now pursue discussions with EU Member States ahead of the plenary session in the European Parliament, scheduled in October, and the Trilogue process.