Strict standards of new legal framework for bioinputs promote sustainability and safety for Brazilian agriculture

The enactment of Law No. 15,070, at the end of last year, marks a historic moment for Brazilian agribusiness and the promotion of sustainability in agriculture. Known as the Legal Framework for Bioinputs, this legislation establishes fundamental guidelines for the production, commercialization, and use of biological inputs in agriculture, representing a significant advance in regulating this growing sector.

According to Mauro Brant Heringer, Master of Law and International Relations Director at ABINBIO (Brazilian Association of Bioinput Industries), "strict standards for the production, storage, and commercialization of bioinputs are established, ensuring the quality and safety of products reaching the market."

"This demand was extensively worked on and pursued by important associations representing the bioinputs sector, especially ABINBIO," states Heringer, who is also a Public Administration Specialist at FGV and Professor at UNYLEYA College. According to him, implementing these strict standards is "fundamental for the sustainable and responsible development of this growing sector, as they not only protect the environment and public health but also foster innovation, increase market confidence, and promote more sustainable practices."

By ensuring the quality and safety of bioinputs, the specialist explains, the legislation creates a favorable environment for sector growth, benefiting producers, consumers, and the environment. "It is a crucial step for the transition from conventional agriculture and livestock to more sustainable and ecologically responsible methods, aligning with global demands for greener agricultural practices and food security," he maintains.

ABINBIO's International Relations Director highlights that the law also explicitly recognizes the role of bioinputs in organic agriculture, for considered on-farm production with a "previously nonexistent perspective, establishing specific criteria for its use in this growing segment." According to him, Law No. 15,070/2024 represents an "important incentive for more sustainable and autonomous agricultural practices, while establishing guidelines to ensure the safety and efficacy of these products."

CHALLENGES AHEAD

Despite the advances brought by Law No. 15,070/2024, Mauro Heringer points out that some challenges remain, such as the need for harmonization with other existing environmental and agricultural legislation. Additionally, he emphasizes the need for training rural producers in the proper use of bioinputs, as well as developing infrastructure for large-scale research, production, and distribution.

ABINBIO's International Relations Director characterizes as "extensive and crucial" the role assigned to the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) in regulating and implementing Law No. 15,070/2024. "This places the ministry in a position of great responsibility in developing the bioinputs sector in Brazil," he states.

"The effectiveness of this approach will greatly depend on MAPA's capacity to develop clear and efficient regulations, stay updated with rapid technological changes in the sector, balance the interests of different stakeholders (producers, researchers, farmers, environmentalists), and implement efficient systems for registration, control, and oversight," explains the Master of Law.

According to him, the exclusion of mandatory registration of bioinputs with ANVISA (National Health Surveillance Agency) and IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) represents a "significant change in Brazil's regulatory approach to these products."

"On one hand, this change has the potential to accelerate the development and adoption of bioinputs, aligning with objectives to promote more sustainable agriculture and reduce dependence on conventional agrochemicals. However, this change also brings important challenges. MAPA will have to significantly expand its capacity and expertise to ensure comprehensive evaluations that consider not only agronomic efficacy but also impacts on human health and the environment," he warns.

According to ABINBIO's International Relations Director, the success in implementing this law and developing the bioinputs sector in Brazil will be intrinsically linked to MAPA's effectiveness in fulfilling this multifaceted role. "It will be important to monitor how the ministry deals with these challenges and adapts to the sector's emerging needs in the coming years," he adds.

"The Legal Framework for Bioinputs undoubtedly represents a significant step in modernizing Brazilian agriculture. By providing a regulatory environment favorable to innovation and the use of sustainable technologies, Law No. 15,070/2024 positions Brazil at the forefront of 21st-century agriculture. This legislation not only promotes more sustainable agricultural practices but also opens new economic and research opportunities. It is now up to legal operators, researchers, and rural producers to work together to effectively implement this law, ensuring its benefits reach the entire production chain and Brazilian society as a whole," he concludes.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)