Microbial pesticides are part of a sustainable agriculture strategy, but due to their unique nature, tools for assessing hazards and risks require different approaches compared to chemical pesticides. This Collection is focused on problem formulation and finding solutions to advance microbial hazard testing, which will help to inform regulatory decisions about microbial pesticides.
Microbial pesticides are valuable alternatives to conventional chemical pesticides that are safer for humans and the environment. However, significant challenges exist for non-target organism hazard testing and coupled with a lack of clear guidance toward robust testing methods, these challenges can result in risk assessments with complex uncertainties. Such complexities can lead to delays in bringing innovation to agriculture and the bioeconomy and increased resource costs.
Additionally, there is growing interest in reducing animal testing in relation to pesticide registration. Significant work is underway to research and develop new approach methodologies as alternatives for traditional human health testing with conventional pesticides. However, little work has been done to develop such alternatives for microbial pesticides. Microbial pesticide testing must keep pace with these innovations; otherwise, these products could lose a significant competitive market advantage.
This Collection brings together original research and review articles to outline the issues, identify knowledge gaps, and highlight advances toward improvements in microbial pesticide hazard testing and risk assessment.
The Collection Risk Assessment of Microbial Pesticides also relates and advances research surrounding the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which has been adopted by all United Nations Member States. Specific SDGs for this Collection include: 2 – Zero Hunger, 3 – Good Health and Well-being, 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, 13 – Climate Action, 14 – Life Below Water, 15 – Life on Land.
