Resistance risk assessment within herbicide authorisation--a call for sensitivity data

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Plant Pathology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Herbicide resistance risk is assessed during herbicide authorization in Europe per EPPO Standard PP 1/213(2).
• Weed population susceptibility to herbicides varies, necessitating sensitivity variation testing among high-risk weed species.
• EU Regulation (EC) 1107/2009 mandates data on plant protection products, including sensitivity data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the critical role of sensitivity data in herbicide resistance risk assessment.
• To outline the technical requirements for generating sensitivity data under EU Regulation (EC) 1107/2009.
• To advocate for sensitivity data provision for all high-risk herbicides, irrespective of prior resistance evolution.

Main Methods:

• Reviewing current regulatory frameworks for herbicide resistance risk assessment in Europe.
• Analyzing the technical requirements for sensitivity data generation.
• Discussing methodical details for creating sensitivity datasets.
• Identifying remaining challenges for harmonized resistance risk assessment.

Main Results:

• Sensitivity data is a key component of herbicide resistance risk assessment and regulatory approval.
• Standardized sensitivity data is essential for evaluating weed population responses to herbicides.
• The study underscores the need for data on all high-risk herbicides, even those without documented resistance.

Conclusions:

• Sensitivity data provision is vital for accurate herbicide resistance risk assessment and regulatory compliance.
• Harmonized assessment of herbicide resistance risk requires addressing methodological questions in sensitivity data generation.
• Consistent data collection and reporting are essential for effective weed management strategies.