Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to introduce a distinct regulatory pathway for the approval and use of biological control agents and biopesticides in crop protection to accelerate their uptake in place of harmful broad-spectrum chemical pesticides.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Improving access to low risk biopesticides for farmers, growers and other land managers is a priority for this Government – as set out in the UK Pesticides National Action Plan, published this year.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which regulates the approval, authorisation and use of biopesticides in the UK runs a biopesticide scheme to support companies seeking to market biopesticides in the UK. Support provided through the scheme includes dedicated HSE biopesticide champions, free pre-submission advice, and capped fees for biopesticide active substance approval.

In May this year the government set out its intention to establish a common Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) area with the EU, by way of an SPS Agreement. Pesticides regulations are in scope of the SPS agreement. As set out in the EU Vision for Agriculture and its recent SPS Omnibus Package Call for Evidence, the EU shares our aim to improve access to biopesticides. We welcome the EU’s review of regulatory barriers to innovation and, look forward to working collaboratively to deliver our shared aims.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to increase ring-fenced funding for translational research on biologicals and biopesticides to generate robust evidence on their efficacy.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra is funding the Biopesticides Innovation Research Network (BIRCH) led by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH).

This network will act as a focal point between researchers, industry, regulators and policy and will work to develop advice to support the registration and risk assessment of biopesticides. The network will engage with EU organisations and at the international level to share knowledge and encourage alignment between relevant groups and projects.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with the European Union on faster access to biocontrol; and over what timescale.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government is committed to encouraging the increased development, access and use of low risk biopesticides as a key component of Integrated Pest Management and the UK Pesticides National Action Plan.

The Government has agreed with the EU to establish a common food safety area by way of a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement. Pesticides, including biopesticides, are in scope. The EU is also committed to encouraging development and use of biopesticides, as highlighted in their proposed Food and Feed safety simplification omnibus package. The agreement provides an opportunity to work closely with the EU to support faster access to biopesticides.

Found: Letter dated 24/11/2025 from Lord Katz to the Earl of Caithness regarding issues raised during the debate