“It is a meticulous job that involves MAPA, Anvisa and Ibama, and often relies on the collaboration of experts in biological control…”
Angélica Polenz Wielewicki is a federal agricultural inspector and head of Reference Specifications Service of the Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA), has a degree in agronomy, a M.Sc. from the Federal University of Santa Maria, and a Ph.D. in seed science and technology from the Federal University of Pelotas.
MAPA published Ordinance No. 1,127, which increases to 60 the number of reference specifications (RE) for phytosanitary products approved for organic agriculture use.
Angélica Wielewicki, head of Reference Specifications Service of MAPA
AgriBrasilis – What are the main changes introduced by Ordinance No. 1,127/2024?
Angélica Wielewicki – We reached the milestone of 60 reference specifications (RE) with two new biological control agents, which is very important because they are widely accessible. In addition, we always seek to improve the RE already published, as we did in Ordinance SDA-MAPA No. 1,127/2024.
AgriBrasilis – In the new Ordinance, RE25 and RE30 were republished, both on microbiological control agents. What has changed?
Angélica Wielewicki – In both RE25 and RE30, the Taxonomic Classification was simplified, with only the main categories remaining. The presentation of the active ingredient was also adjusted to comply with the provisions of art. 5 of the Joint Ordinance SDA-MAPA/Anvisa/Ibama No. 1/2023, which deals with microbiological products. We made changes to the lists of “other ingredients”, and in the case of RE30, we added 27 new substances. Furthermore, the information in the “Note” field at the end of the RE was reorganized in the form of items.
“Depending on the nature of the RE, it can serve as a basis for the registration of several products by different companies, including small companies, which do not always have the necessary resources to obtain registration through the conventional route”
AgriBrasilis – What is the purpose of the Reference Specification (RE) for registering phytosanitary products?
Angélica Wielewicki – Ultimately, REs serve to provide farmers – whether focused on organic or conventional production – with more options for low-impact commercial products for phytosanitary control in crops. This is because, depending on the nature of the RE, it can serve as a basis for the registration of several products by different companies, including small companies, which do not always have the necessary resources to obtain registration through the conventional route.
AgriBrasilis – Almost 90% of products based on biological control agents are based on reference specifications. Why?
Angélica Wielewicki – The logistics of biological agents is more complex. In addition, the RE legislation has two favorable aspects: the agencies responsible for the analysis – MAPA, Anvisa and Ibama – can act as RE proponents and also use the so-called “available knowledge” for their establishment.
It is not uncommon for ideas for new biological agent REs to emerge from contact with professors and researchers at events or when we come across scientific publications that provide the data needed to indicate their use. When gaps appear, we seek out experts to help us, and the response has been fantastic. Since many of the REs for biological agents are proposed by us based on information from the scientific literature and these REs are widely accessible – that is, several companies can apply for registration – few end up choosing to invest resources in the conventional route.
AgriBrasilis – RE59 and RE60 contain the organisms Apidius colemani and Telenomus remus. What is the importance of these parasitoid insects?
Angélica Wielewicki – With the publication of RE59, Aphidius colemani has became the first parasitoid authorized in Brazil as an active ingredient in commercial products for the control of Aphis gossypii. Known as the cotton aphid, this pest is important in many crops. We already have registered products based on predatory insects for its control, but not yet based on parasitoids. Telenomus remus, from RE60, comes as an option for the control of Spodoptera frugiperda. Until now, the only parasitoid authorized in commercial products was Trichogramma pretiosum.
AgriBrasilis – Does this new Ordinance facilitate the registration of low-impact products?
Angélica Wielewicki – Absolutely! It is a meticulous effort involving MAPA, Anvisa and Ibama, and often involves the collaboration of experts in biological control. The results are: there are more than 330 registrations of “phytosanitary products approved for organic agriculture” based on 60 published REs and 15 republished ones, not to mention the more than 60 registration requests that are under analysis or awaiting analysis. In the end, all of this translates into more low-impact phytosanitary products on the market.
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