Adoption of Biological Pesticides in the UK
October 10, 2008| |
A new study, funded by the British Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), looks at why there is currently little use of biological alternatives to chemical pesticides in the United Kingdom. Adoption of biocontrol agents to combat plant pests and diseases presents several advantages over the use of chemicals, the scientists say, albeit most biological pesticides have lower effectiveness and a shorter shelf life.
The study says that because the regulatory system in the UK was developed with chemical pesticides in mind, it does not encourage the development of biopesticides. In addition, the researchers pinpointed a lack of mutual recognition between European Union member states as a key reason why the United States has a much higher rate of biopesticide use. This makes it hard for the small companies - often start-ups - that usually develop biopesticides to obtain economies of scale.
Read the article at http://www.esrc.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/PO/releases/2008/october/biopesticides.aspx?ComponentId=28345&SourcePageId=20654 for more information.
| |
Biotech Updates is a weekly newsletter of ISAAA, a not-for-profit organization. It is distributed for free to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide to inform them about the key developments in biosciences, especially in biotechnology. Your support will help us in our mission to feed the world with knowledge. You can help by donating as little as $10.
-
See more articles:
-
News from Around the World
- FAO Seeks Review of Biofuel Policies and Subsidies
- GIGA Project Launched
- China Overtakes USA in Number of Biotech Publications
- UN-Backed Project to Benefit Senegal’s Rural Poor
- UNCTAD to Support Technology and Knowledge Transfer of African Scientists
- Ugandan Environment Minister Backs Biotech
- Scientists Pinpoint Heat-Tolerance Gene
- USDA Seeks Comments on New Biotech Rules
- USDA Funds Specialty Crops
- Malaysia’s PM Bats for Biotechnology
- Stem Borer-resistant Javanica Rice cv Rojolele in Indonesia
- NZ Gets New Regulations for Conditional Release of GMOs
- Israeli Scientists Discover Way to Enhance Flower Scent
- Vietnam Supports GM Research
- New Safety Research Projects on GM Crops
- Adoption of Biological Pesticides in the UK
- Estonia’s Genome Study Analyzed
-
Research Highlights
- New Tool for Rice Functional Genomics
- Low Phytic Acid Transgenic Rice
-
Resources
- Global Status of Commercialized GM Crops Reviewed in 'Experimental Agriculture'
- SA Biotechnology Audit 2007
-
Read the latest: - Biotech Updates (April 24, 2024)
- Gene Editing Supplement (April 24, 2024)
- Gene Drive Supplement (February 22, 2023)
-
Subscribe to BU: - Share
- Tweet