EU pest control shortage looms

The 200 available non-crop insecticide active ingredients in the European market are likely to halve in number as a result of the review of existing ais under the EU biocidal products Directive (98/8). The warning, given to delegates at the European Pest Management Day held by the Confederation of European Pest Control Associations (CEPA) last year, reflects widespread industry concerns over pest control and resistance development.

 

In addition to the loss of existing products, the cost of supporting ais through the review will threaten new product development, warned Andrew Adams, chairman of the insecticide working group set up by the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) and the European Biocidal Product Forum (EBPF). Pest control product manufacturers spend an average of 10% of sales on research and development. However, new product budgets will be starved if a large proportion of data support finances are committed to the re-registration of existing ais, he said. Only five new ais have appeared for the pest control market since the inception of Directive 98/8, Mr Adams pointed out.

 

Resistance problems are likely in the rodenticide sector, said Dr Alan Buckle, chairman of the CEFIC/EBPF rodenticide working group. In 1998, there were 30 rodenticide ais on the market. By the time the review is completed, the number is expected to be no more than 14, most of which will be anticoagulants, he said.

 

On a more positive note, delegates heard that the pest control industry is expected to benefit from the proposed EU services directive, which is due to be adopted in January 2009. It aims to open up cross-border trading for service industries, which have not grown as fast as trade in goods across the EU. The removal of trade barriers should enable a small, national-based pest control operation to develop into a multinational operation, said Norman Rose, chairman of the European Business Services Round Table.