Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to work with the European Union on faster access to biocontrol; and over what timescale.

The Government is committed to encouraging the increased development, access and use of low risk biopesticides as a key component of Integrated Pest Management and the UK Pesticides National Action Plan.

The Government has agreed with the EU to establish a common food safety area by way of a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement. Pesticides, including biopesticides, are in scope. The EU is also committed to encouraging development and use of biopesticides, as highlighted in their proposed Food and Feed safety simplification omnibus package. The agreement provides an opportunity to work closely with the EU to support faster access to biopesticides.