“…the constant evolution of international regulatory systems and the need for harmonization with other countries add further layers of complexity…”
Luis Claudio Perfeito Damasceno is the Global Head of Regulatory and Government Affairs at UPL. He holds a degree in Biology from Mackenzie University, a postgraduate degree in Plant Protection from the Federal University of Viçosa, and an MBA from Esalq/USP.
AgriBrasilis – Why do Brazilians stand out in the regulatory field of pesticides?
Damasceno – Several factors contribute to this: the importance of agriculture to Brazil’s economy, the country’s global leadership as a major food exporter, and the need for a robust regulatory system to ensure the safety and effectiveness of these products. The high level of academic training and adaptability of Brazilian professionals are also crucial.
AgriBrasilis – What is your role in this area? What have been your career path and key highlights?
Damasceno – I’ve been working in the pesticide regulatory field for nearly three decades. I started as an intern at a regulatory consultancy and later moved to the industry in 2004, joining Isagro SpA, an Italian company expanding into Latin America. During that time, I led regulatory and product development teams, registering products in over 20 countries.
In 2009, I assumed leadership of the Latin American regulatory team at Chemtura AgroSolutions, an American company. I decentralized the team to be closer to regulatory authorities, which sped up the product registration process. In 2012, I was hired by Bayer to transform the regulatory team in Brazil and part of Latin America. We achieved significant results, including the registration of a new molecule after a frustrating nine-year period without any innovation approvals.
In 2018, I was sent to the company’s headquarters in Germany to lead a global team focused on product environmental safety for three years. After that, I returned to the regulatory area to lead the global fungicide regulatory team—an exceptional experience. In 2023, I joined UPL as Global Head of Regulatory Science and Government Affairs, still based in Germany. I’m leading a transformation in the function, focusing on efficiency, cost reduction, and effectiveness through the adoption of digital tools and processes, creating a high-performance, globally connected community spanning five continents.
AgriBrasilis – What led you to work abroad?
Damasceno – The opportunity arose as part of a career development plan while I was still at Bayer. It was a major challenge to leave my comfort zone and take on a global role at the company’s headquarters in Germany, facing a completely different culture from what I was used to. It’s been an exceptional journey, where I’ve gained new knowledge and broadened my professional and personal horizons while sharing my experience from Brazil and Latin America. What was supposed to last three years has become an almost eight-year journey, enriching both my life and my family’s through cultural and professional exchanges.
“The Brazilian regulatory landscape is marked by its peculiarities and complexities…”
AgriBrasilis – How was the transition from the Brazilian to the international regulatory environment?
Damasceno – The transition was smooth and enriching. The technical and people management foundations are universal. Despite the challenges, Brazil has one of the most complex and robust regulatory systems in the world, which made it easier for me to adapt. Working closely with the team, traveling to different countries, understanding local opportunities and challenges, and engaging with farmers and authorities were essential for my learning and for building innovative strategies—key to turning the regulatory function into a competitive advantage for the company.
AgriBrasilis – Is the Brazilian regulatory scenario more complex?
Damasceno – The Brazilian regulatory landscape is marked by its peculiarities and complexities. Many of these stem from the tripartite federal system, where three agencies are responsible for evaluating and granting pesticide registrations. After obtaining federal registration, the product still needs to be registered in each state where it will be sold.
The complexity is compounded by the need for greater investment in compensation, exchange programs, and training to equip regulatory agencies with enough professionals to meet the high demand in a country with such strong agricultural potential. Brazil has the slowest pesticide registration process in the world, which benefits no one—least of all the farmers.
These characteristics require a multifaceted and flexible regulatory approach. Moreover, the ongoing evolution of international regulatory systems and the need for harmonization with other countries add further layers of complexity.
AgriBrasilis – What are the most relevant trends for the coming years?
Damasceno – In the coming years, the demand for safer and more sustainable products will drive innovations in formulations and application methods. Biological products will continue to gain prominence as a complement or alternative to chemical pesticides, with Brazil leading the regulatory transformation in this area. Biotechnology will remain essential, and digitalization and advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, will revolutionize the monitoring, application, and regulation of pesticides.
AgriBrasilis – Would you like to work in Brazil again? Why?
Damasceno – Yes, absolutely! Brazil is my country, and I’m very proud to have been born in a nation with such enormous agricultural potential. The opportunity to contribute to sustainable food production while preserving our country’s incredible and unique biodiversity is extremely motivating.
In addition, I believe my international experience can be valuable in addressing local challenges and fostering the development of the regulatory field, as well as innovative and sustainable solutions for Brazilian agriculture.
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