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Virgilio Stillittano

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Aug 2026

Rethinking crop protection: EU trends in low-risk and basic substances as alternatives to conventional pesticides.

BACKGROUND Plant protection products (PPPs) are essential tools for crop protection, but their regulatory framework in the European Union (EU) has evolved significantly with Regulation (EC) no. 1107/2009, which harmonized approval criteria and strengthened safety requirements. In parallel, increasing policy pressure linked to sustainability strategies has promoted the transition from conventional chemical active substances to lower-impact alternatives. This study aims to analyze trends in the approval and expiry of active substances, with a focus on low-risk and basic substances within the EU regulatory context. RESULTS Analysis of the EU Pesticides Database over the period 2011-2025 shows that overall approvals remained relatively stable (≈20-30 per year), with peaks in 2011 (49 approvals) and 2022 (52 approvals). Approvals of candidate-for-substitution substances declined markedly, reaching 0-1 per year after 2020. By contrast, low-risk substances increased, peaking in 2022 with 31 approvals. Basic substances emerged in 2014 but remained limited in number. A total of 65 microbial active substances were approved (30 classified as low-risk), with a peak in 2023 (14 approvals). Currently, 73 microorganisms are approved, of which 41% are low-risk. Expirations increased over time, mainly affecting conventional chemical substances. CONCLUSION EU regulatory policies are effectively driving a transition toward lower-risk active substances, particularly microorganisms and semiochemicals. However, this shift remains uneven across sectors, with limited alternatives in areas such as weed management. While supporting environmental and health objectives, the transition highlights the need for further innovation and policy support to ensure effective, scalable and sustainable crop protection solutions. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

M. Fidanza, Marta Mollari, Maria Teresa Cerasa et al. · 0 citations
Review Open access Jul 2026

Copper Compounds: A Narrative and Regulatory Review of Agricultural Uses, Risks, and Environmental Assessment

Background: Copper is a trace element involved in key physiological and biochemical processes in humans, animals, and plants, and its homeostasis is tightly regulated. However, excessive exposure may cause adverse health and environmental effects. Copper-based plant protection products contribute to dietary exposure to copper and remain indispensable for the control of several crop diseases. Methods: This review summarizes the current state scientific and regulatory evidence on agricultural copper, identifies major knowledge gaps, and discusses strategies to support its sustainable use. A structured literature review was conducted using the PECO framework to define eligibility criteria, while key principles of the PRISMA 2020 statement were applied to improve the transparency of study identification and selection. Results: The available evidence confirms the dual role of copper as an essential micronutrient and a potentially toxic element, with adverse effects depending on exposure level, chemical form, bioavailability, and physiological status. Although copper remains an effective agricultural tool, long-term use may promote soil accumulation and environmental impacts. Current environmental risk assessment frameworks, originally developed for organic chemicals, do not fully account for the environmental behavior of inorganic metals. The review also examines copper occurrence, biological functions, agricultural uses, environmental fate, toxicity, and regulatory frameworks. Conclusions: Sustainable copper use requires balancing crop protection benefits with human health and environmental protection. Dietary exposure from authorized copper-based PPPs is generally considered negligible according to current EFSA PRIMo assessments, whereas occupational exposure and environmental accumulation remain important concerns. Future environmental risk assessment frameworks should better account for the environmental fate, natural background concentrations, bioavailability, and speciation of inorganic metals such as copper, thereby improving the scientific basis of regulatory decision-making.

Alberto Angioni, Mattia Casula, Virgilio Stillittano et al. · 0 citations