The status of biological control and recommendations for improving uptake for the future

Classical and augmentative biological control of insect pests and weeds has enjoyed a long history of successes. However, biocontrol practices have not been as universally accepted or optimally utilised as they could be. An International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC) initiative brought...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BioControl (Dordrecht, Netherlands) Netherlands), 2018-02, Vol.63 (1), p.155-167
Main Authors: Barratt, B. I. P., Moran, V. C., Bigler, F., van Lenteren, J. C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access and benefit-sharing
Agriculture
Animal Biochemistry
Animal Ecology
Behavioral Sciences
Biological control
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Communication
Cost-effectiveness
Economics
Entomology
Insects
IPM
Land management
Life Sciences
Pest control
Pesticides
Pests
Plant diseases
Plant Pathology
Research approach
Risk assessment
Risk aversion
Success
Weeds
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Summary:Classical and augmentative biological control of insect pests and weeds has enjoyed a long history of successes. However, biocontrol practices have not been as universally accepted or optimally utilised as they could be. An International Organisation for Biological Control (IOBC) initiative brought together practitioners and researchers from widely diverse fields to identify the main limitations to biocontrol uptake and to recommend means of mitigation. Limitations to uptake included: risk averse and unwieldy regulatory processes; increasingly bureaucratic barriers to access to biocontrol agents; insufficient engagement and communication with the public, stakeholders, growers and politicians of the considerable economic benefits of biocontrol; and fragmentation of biocontrol sub-disciplines. In this contribution we summarise a range of recommendations for the future that emphasise the need for improved communication of economic, environmental and social successes and benefits of biological control for insect pests, weeds and plant diseases, targeting political, regulatory, grower/land manager and other stakeholder interests. Political initiatives in some countries which augur well for biocontrol in the future are discussed.
ISSN:1386-6141
1573-8248
DOI:10.1007/s10526-017-9831-y