“Quality control for on-farm bioinputs must include the use of strains of microorganisms acquired from reliable germplasm banks…”
Júlia Emanuela de Souza is the director of institutional relations at the National Association for the Promotion and Innovation of the Biological Industry – ANPII Bio.
Souza is an agronomist from the University of Brasília and Missouri State University, specialist in Plant Protection from the Federal University of Viçosa, with an MBA from FGV.
Júlia de Souza, diretora de relações institucionais da ANPII Bio
AgriBrasilis – Will the production of on-farm bioinputs be prohibited?
Júlia de Souza – The on-farm production of bioinputs will not be prohibited, but regulated. The proposal seeks to ensure that this practice is carried out safely, following technical criteria and parameters that ensure the quality of products, environmental protection and the health of workers and consumers.
Regulation is essential to avoid risks of contamination by human pathogens or phytopathogens and guarantee the effectiveness of bioinputs. This measure benefits the entire production chain: farmers have access to reliable products, the industry operates in a more structured way and the market becomes more efficient, while consumers benefit from safer and more sustainable agriculture.
Furthermore, ANPII Bio advocates that regulation should consider the specificities of different forms of cultivation, such as family farming and organic farming, in addition to traditional practices, balancing safety with viability for farmers. This strengthens the sector and combats uncontrolled practices that undermine the credibility of bioinputs.
AgriBrasilis – What changes are proposed by Bill 658/2021? What are the other projects underway on the topic about?
Júlia de Souza – The replacement subamendment to Bill No. 658/2021, presented in November 2024, is the result of a robust discussion that took place among the main stakeholders. ANPII Bio understands that the text is well balanced and provides extremely important points for the safe technological development of products, such as:
- Quality control in commercial and on farm modalities, to be defined in regulation;
- Participation of bodies responsible for health and the environment in evaluating the registration of phytosanitary control products;
- Traceability and safety of the strains used;
Bills No. 658/2021 and 3668/2021 are being evaluated together and both aim to create a specific regulatory framework for bio-inputs, decoupling them from pesticide and fertilizer legislation, considered inadequate to deal with the particularities of biological inputs.
AgriBrasilis – How can quality control be carried out for on-farm production? What are the risks of producing bioinputs for your own use?
Júlia de Souza – Quality control for on-farm bioinputs must include the use of strains of microorganisms acquired from reliable germplasm banks, supervision by a responsible technician and compliance with good production practices. These procedures reduce the risks of contamination and ensure that the final product is actually pure and has the appropriate concentration of the microorganism intended to be produced. All this so that the products are effective in the field and return to the producers. Without these measures, there is a risk of proliferation of unwanted microorganisms, negative impact on the environment and compromising workers’ health.
AgriBrasilis – How can bioinputs be brought under the same standards that regulate pesticides and fertilizers?
Júlia de Souza – This is ANPII Bio’s main point of defense, as we understand that the current regulations for pesticides and fertilizers are not suitable for bioinputs. Trying to fit biological products, which contain living organisms and multifunctional functions, into legislation designed for products of mineral origin, synthetic and chemical molecules is no longer viable. This is why a specific regulatory framework needs to be created. This will allow for greater clarity, agility and innovation in the sector, in addition to recognizing the uniqueness of bioinputs as tools that combine biological control, fertilization and soil health.
AgriBrasilis – How does ANPII Bio work to promote the bioinputs sector?
Júlia de Souza – Founded in 1990, ANPII Bio is a pioneer in the promotion of bioinputs in Brazil. Initially focused on nitrogen fixation and promotion of plant growth, in 2024 it expanded its scope to represent other categories, such as biological control and biostimulants, following the growth in the production and use of these products.
As the most traditional in the biological segment, the entity plays an active role in the search for regulation, the subject of PLs 658/2021 and 3668/2021, defending with MAPA and other regulatory bodies a legal framework that promotes safety, innovation and balance between interests of the industry and producers.
In partnership with institutions such as Embrapa, ESALQ/USP and UFPR, the entity facilitates studies to boost the use of bio-inputs and carries out educational actions, such as online courses, in addition to participating in scientific events. With more than 30 associated companies, ANPII Bio works to consolidate Brazil as a global leader in the bioinputs market and strengthen sustainable agriculture.