AN INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE ON REGISTRATION AND COMMERCIALIZATION OF BIOCONTROL AGENTS IN CANADA

Numerous scientific publications indicate that a wide variety of micro organisms are capable of effectively controlling pests such as weeds. insects, nematodes, and fungal diseases. In most cases, the levels of biocontrol achieved by the various microorganisms in laboratory or con trolled-environment studies are sufficient to suggest that they could provide reliable, effective alternatives to or complement chemical pes ticides. Therefore, it is surprising and disappointing that so few bio control products have been successfully commercialized. A number of si gnificant challenges must be overcome during development of a biocontr ol product. These include development of a cost-effective high-volume manufacturing process, stable formulations which have at least a one-s eason shelf-life and are easy to use, and consistent and reproducible control of the target pest under a wide variety of environmental condi tions. Another key challenge, which is separate from the product devel opment process but essential for successful commercialization, is to s ecure product registration in a timely, straight-forward manner. This paper reviews the major issues, based on personal experience and publi shed information, that must be addressed in order to successfully brin g a biocontrol product into the market place.