CropLife Europe said the European Commission’s Food and Feed Safety Omnibus is more than a legislative update, describing it as an opportunity to modernise how Europe delivers innovation to farmers while maintaining high levels of protection for consumers and the environment.
CropLife Europe noted that over the past six years no new conventional active substances have been approved, while the crop protection toolbox has shrunk by more than eighty substances, including biopesticides. The organisation warned that when innovation outpaces regulation, farmers lose time and the EU loses competitiveness.
According to a CropLife Europe press release, the Omnibus provides a chance to replace unnecessary red tape with “green tape” through modern, science-based processes that keep safety strong while bringing proven innovation to farmers more quickly. The organisation said this requires smarter approvals, predictable timelines, and guidance that reflects real-world practice, avoiding unexpected changes that slow access in the field.
CropLife Europe described the Omnibus as an important first step in addressing long-recognised bottlenecks in the system. It welcomed the overall direction on simplification, including more proportionate approaches to approvals and renewals and a clearer framework for biological control, calling these measures positive and much needed. CropLife Europe added that to truly deliver for farmers, simplification and support for innovation must apply across the full crop protection toolbox, for biological and conventional solutions alike.
“Expecting more with fewer tools won’t work for farmers,” said Olivier de Matos, Director General of CropLife Europe. “The Omnibus helps modernise EU rules so innovative science-based solutions reach fields faster while maintaining high safety standards”
Check out Editorial Director Marcel Bruins’ article: When Red Tape Chokes Green Progress
