Environmental Safety and Ecotoxicity of Biopesticides

Abstract

The growing increase in the world population, associated with increased demand for food, has promoted the increased use of synthetic Plant Protection Products (PPPs as pesticides) in agriculture, which can raise environmental concerns. Nowadays, it is generally believed that the use of Biopesticides (BioPPPs) may contribute to reducing the undesirable environmental effects usually associated with the use of synthetic pesticides. However, the risk assessment required by the EU Member States Authorities (EMSA) to evaluate the ecotoxicity of PPPs may not be the most suitable for BioPPPs due to their particular properties and mode of action that are distinct from those of synthetic PPPs.