An International Comparison of Invertebrate Biological Control Agent Regulation: What Can Europe Learn?

Abstract

Few European countries possess an active regulatory process for the import and release of invertebrate biological control agents (IBCAs). A number of standards, documents and guidelines have been produced over recent years in an attempt to implement a harmonised regulatory system for IBCA introduction and release in Europe. Many industries, biological practitioners and regulators, however, fear that a regulatory system would render the process of approval for IBCA introduction into a country costly and time consuming. Countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA, however, are far ahead in terms of regulating the import and release of exotic IBCAs, each possessing effective legislative and administrative procedures governing the process. In this paper, we revisit two analyses of the regulatory systems in place (i) in Europe and (ii) in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA, and summarise and compare their findings. We then proceed to amalgamate ideas in order to offer pragmatic and effective solutions for a balanced and workable pan-European regulatory system that will minimise the costs imposed on industry without compromising risks to human health or the environment.