SETAC’s Latest Interest Group Tackles Agricultural Biologics
Henry Krueger, Eurofins US
SETAC recently approved a new Interest Group for Biologics in Agriculture, proposed by members from academia, business and government due to increasing interest in the area. But what are biologics and why should you care?
Agricultural biologics are a diverse class of agricultural products derived from natural materials – including living organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, as well as other bio-based substances. These products are selected or designed to support agriculture. Some biologics can enhance a plant's natural processes and improve nutrient uptake. Other biologics can provide targeted protection against pests, diseases and abiotic stressors. In general, biological products may supplement or replace conventional chemical agricultural inputs. In the case of pesticides, they are often seen (and marketed) as being safer than conventional pesticides. They are frequently more selective in targeting specific pest species, although this may not always be the case.
The use of biopesticides has a rich history, dating back centuries and far predating the modern chemical era. There are now many different types of agricultural biologics that fall into two main categories: biostimulants and biocontrol products. Biostimulants encompass both microbial and non-microbial formulations designed to support plant growth and improve nutrient uptake from the soil. Biocontrol products can also fall into two main categories: macroorganisms (such as insects, mites and nematodes) and biopesticides. Biopesticides are further split into microbials and biochemicals. Microbial pesticides encompass living organisms like viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa. Biochemical pesticides are natural products (or manufactured construct that simulate natural molecules in the case of dsRNA and peptide products) that can have putative low toxicity modes of action (e.g., disruption of mating, repellency, antifeedant effects, physical barriers), although again this may not always be the case.
As interest in agricultural biologics increases, biologic registrations are also rising. Most testing guidelines for these products are older, and there is a need to update and improve how biologics are tested and evaluated since most of the guidelines were established in the 1990s and do not take advantage of the technological innovation currently available. It is noteworthy that the process of assessing risks for biologics differs from that used for chemicals in many parts of the world, but processes vary widely across regulatory jurisdictions. Further, to better assess biologics, there needs to be a better understanding of methods and models applicable to the environmental exposure, fate and effects of these products to non-target organisms both in and off their target use sites in cases where a more comprehensive or refined risk assessment is needed. Because of their diversity, it is likely that any future assessment approaches will need to be flexible in both their data requirements and in terms of the type of biologic assessed.
SETAC is uniquely qualified to address challenges related to assessing biologics because of its members’ expertise in risk assessment, ecotoxicology and environmental fate and the Society’s mission for advancing topics in a manner that is multisectoral, multi-disciplinary and allows for science-based objectivity. SETAC has already had several sessions at meetings in both North America and Europe on biologics. The creation of the Interest Group will help expand and coordinate activity in this area. As a first step, the group will host its inaugural webinar, “Agricultural Biologics Unpacked: Science and Regulation,” at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on April 21.
Much work is needed to evolve risk and hazard evaluations of biologics. The Biologics in Agriculture Interest Group looks forward to addressing these challenges and welcomes all who wish to join.
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