Efficacy evaluation of plant protection products at EU level: Data requirements and evaluation principles

Abstract

Plant Protection Products (ppp s ) have been evaluated and authorised in the European Union (EU), in accordance with a harmonised regulatory system (Dir. 91/414/EEC), since 1993. Efficacy evaluation is an integral part of the EU regulatory system of registration of ppp s (Dir. 91/414/EEC) and is the main subject of this review paper. The efficacy data requirements and evaluation principles are analyzed and discussed along with an outline presentation of the evaluation systems of the EU. The trials needed for the efficacy evaluation of plant protection products (ppp s ) across EU have to be conducted according to the principles of Good Experimental Practice by officially recognized testing facilities and in line with the methods specified by the Standards of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization. For registration purposes, the efficacy parameters which should be considered in the experimentation and evaluation of a ppp, according to EU criteria, are effectiveness (direct efficacy), resistance risk and the absence of undesirable effects on: a) plants or plant products (phytotoxicity, yield, quality), b) succeeding and adjacent crops, c) plants or plant products used for propagation, and d) beneficial arthropods. Efficacy and other desirable effects from the use of ppp s have to be weighed against their potential phytotoxicity and/or other undesirable effects during the evaluation process. The evaluation of efficacy data of ppp s , provided by the notifiers in the Biological Assessment Dossier, and the decision taken on authorization are performed across Member States on the basis of the "Uniform Principles" of the EU. Experience gained in implementing the provisions of Dir. 91/414/EEC has demonstrated that a number of changes are required. The main changes to this system, which are in progress, and also other systems on efficacy evaluation of ppp s outside EU are discussed.

A knowledge-based approach to designing control strategies for agricultural pests

“…Field efficacy trials serve to optimize the application parameters for the product ( Kalamarakis and Markellou, 2007 ). We used COMPASS-Rootworm to evaluate root damage for one environmental scenario as a function of the application rate of clothianidin applied as a furrow treatment at the time of sowing ( Fig.…”

“…Product development accounts for ca. 50% of the total cost to introduce a new agrochemical ( Sparks and Lorsbach, 2016 ), and comprises a linear sequence of steps, from high-throughput identification of an efficacious lead using standard bioassays, to laboratory studies on target pests, glasshouse experiments, and finally field studies using a range of crops and environmental conditions ( Kalamarakis and Markellou, 2007 ). The development sequence is largely empirical, with little feedback of mechanistic information into upstream development processes.…”

SELECTIVITY OF INSECTICIDES USED IN PEACH FARMING TO LARVAE OF Chrysoperla externa (NEUROPTERA: CHRYSOPIDAE) IN SEMI-FIELD CONDITIONS

“…The same author evaluated phosmet and classified as harmless (class 1) to C. carnea, with only 10.5% reduction in larvae capture, whereas it was moderately harmful (class 3) to C. externa, in the present study. These differences may derive from active ingredient intrinsic characteristics, whose levels of toxicity may vary within a chemical group, type of formulation, presence of inert and adjuvant ingredients and different dosages (KALAMARAKIS;MARKELLOU, 2007). Differences in susceptibility between species can also interfere with toxicity of the insecticides in question, as these species have different enzyme detoxification systems.…”

Induced Resistance by Ascorbate Oxidation Involves Potentiating of the Phenylpropanoid Pathway and Improved Rice Tolerance to Parasitic Nematodes

“…The assessment of plant growth rate upon application of a plant protection product is an essential element in its efficacy evaluation ( Kalamarakis and Markellou, 2007 ). To evaluate the plant growth rate in response to AA, AO, or DHA treatment and this under unstressed or nematode-uninfected conditions, a multifactorial experiment with eight groups of plants (see above) was set up and evaluation was done at different time points.…”