The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently published a report that examines the risk assessment process of microorganisms used as pesticides. Both chemical and microbial active substances can be used as pesticides. However, they exhibit different risk profiles, as microbial active substances may produce secondary metabolites, multiply, spread, and possibly genetically adapt or transfer antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes to other microorganisms. Therefore, there is a need to adjust the risk assessment process to address the specificities of different pesticide types.
The European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy and Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 call for a 50 percent reduction in the use of and risk from chemical and other hazardous pesticides. Since the use of microorganisms as pesticides are likely to be considered as low-risk substances and may contribute to a more sustainable food system, EFSA identified the need for information about the production of secondary metabolites, as well as an investigation of national and EU integrated pest management (IPM) programs. The current report focuses on the low-risk criteria linked to AMR, the risk assessment of secondary metabolites, and the use of microorganisms in IPM programs.