Assessment of the benefits and risks of macroorganisms
Macroorganisms are widely used to protect crops from pests. Their use should be appropriate, safe, and in accordance with international guidelines.
Pest control poses a global challenge for agriculture, since crops are under constant threat from both known and novel pests. Furthermore, Europe is committed to a policy of reducing the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture. For these reasons, alternative control methods are increasingly being sought.
Beneficial organisms are used today in many crops to control pests in greenhouses and fields. They are reared on a large scale and marketed as plant protection products. In addition, beneficial organisms from the native ranges of invasive pests are being introduced in a targeted manner. Finally, international trade and tourism also increase the risk of unintentional releases and of the establishment of exotic organisms. These have an impact on agriculture with its biotic communities and represent an additional threat for rare and endangered species.
Together with the ‘Neobiota’ Research Group, we are working to identify future challenges posed by invasive species to plant protection and to identify suitable antagonists. We conduct research into the factors that influence the benefits and risks of macroorganisms in agriculture. Such factors include overwintering ability, host and prey ranges, and the compatibility of beneficial organisms with other plant protection measures. Drawing on our research findings, we develop concepts and methods for assessing the benefits and risks of macroorganisms. We support the Federal Office for the Environment’s assessment of environmental risks posed by novel beneficial organisms intended for commercial use in Swiss agriculture, and actively contribute to the development of the latest international guidelines issued by EPPO, IOBC and IPPC for such assessments. In collaboration with the Institute of Agricultural Sciences at ETH Zurich and other universities, we run courses on the impact of novel organisms in the agricultural environment and on the assessment of the benefits and risks of beneficial organisms. Our work contributes to the widespread adoption of environmentally and health-friendly pest control strategies.