24/09/2020 (Agence Europe) – As part of the ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy for food sustainability, the Commission is preparing a regulation to clarify the criteria for approving the microbial active substances listed in Annex II of the European Regulation concerning authorisation for placing plant protection products on the market (1107/2009), also known as the ‘Pesticides’ Regulation. According to the roadmap for this initiative—updated on Thursday, 24 September—this regulation is scheduled to be adopted in the fourth quarter of 2021. A public consultation has been announced. The ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy plans to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and to facilitate the placing of biological active substances, including microorganisms, on the market. Under the European Green Deal, the EU has, in fact, made a commitment to reduce the use of chemical pesticides and the risks that they pose. (AN)