US starts biopesticide registration review

The US EPA has started the registration review process for the biopesticide, Nosema locustae. The active ingredient comprises spores of the protoazoan for use on baits to control locusts and grasshoppers. There have been no health or environmental incidents linked with the biopesticide since it was registered in 1980, the EPA notes. The Agency does not expect to require any additional data to complete the registration review. Some inert ingredients in N locustae formulations may not be cleared for food use, but the EPA is working with registrants to address this matter through label changes. The Agency expects to reach a final decision on this review case by December 2008. The EPA recently updated its registration review schedule for the next four years.