To achieve the Task Force objective, the following approach has been determined:

• To test biological and eco-friendly CPAs as alternatives to traditional CPAs with CORESTA formal protocol and collate related results.
• To collate results and protocols from trials already conducted with biological and eco-friendly CPAs
• To collate results and protocols from trials that will not be done with the formal protocol
• Compile data in a dedicated database and make them available to ACAC.
• To harness global participation.

Definition of terms:

Biological control is a method of controlling pests (including insects, mites, weeds and plant diseases) using other living organisms. It relies on predation, parasitism, herbivory, or other natural mechanisms such as the use of pheromones.

Eco-friendly CPAs are pesticides that are derived from plants or plant extracts and include CPAs such as garlic, ginger, neem and flowers such as marigold.

Purpose

Compliance to global requirements in CPA usage especially in tobacco production has become of paramount importance as the need to continuously go greener gains momentum globally, thus the need to speed up activities in research in biological and eco-friendly CPAs. Over the years there has been an increasing shortage of conventional CPAs due to withdrawals and bans and the reduced number of registered CPAs for use in tobacco production. It is thus in the best interest of the industry to dedicate time and effort as far as research into biological and eco-friendly CPAs is concerned. Standard protocols will be established and selected CPA candidates will be tested in tobacco growing regions throughout the world and interest from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America has been registered. Participation is voluntary and is according to interest and involvement in the target biological and eco-friendly CPA. To date, a survey, through a short questionnaire, was conducted from November to December 2018 to identify which bio-control and eco-friendly crop protection agents are registered, in use or under efficacy tests in different tobacco producing countries in the world. A compilation was done and presented to ACAC meeting in January 2019. A few biological and eco-friendly CPAs were selected in sucker control, insecticide, nematode and fungal disease management and protocols are in the process of being standardised to enable willing participants to take part in efficacy seedbed and field trials.

Activities

1. Survey questionnaire on the extent of use and registration of biological and eco-friendly CPAs in tobacco production.
2. Compilation of biological and eco-friendly CPAs being used on tobacco throughout the world.
3. Standardisation of protocols to enable efficacy trials to be carried out.

Next Steps

1. Implementation of efficacy trials.
2. Data analysis.
3. Submission of data to ACAC.

Updated November 2023