A New Class of Biopesticides Emerges — Will EU Policy Adapt to Unlock Their Potential?

By Agroempresario.com

Across Europe’s farmlands, a quiet yet urgent crisis is unfolding. Pest pressures are rising as traditional chemical crop protection options disappear, placing growers under increasing strain to maintain yields and protect livelihoods. At the same time, the European Union’s ambitious environmental goals demand drastic reductions in synthetic pesticide use. Yet, the regulatory framework governing crop protection innovation remains outdated — especially when it comes to a promising new class of products: peptide-based biopesticides.

Juan Estupinan, President and CEO of Vestaron Crop Protection, highlights the growing disconnect between sustainable agricultural innovation and current EU pesticide regulations. Vestaron, a pioneer in nature-inspired peptide biopesticides, has developed products that are biodegradable, highly selective, and specifically designed to target damaging insect pests without harming beneficial species like pollinators. These peptide insecticides offer an entirely new mode of action on pests' neuromuscular systems — a breakthrough not seen in decades.

The Regulatory Challenge Facing Peptide Biopesticides

Despite their natural origins and environmentally friendly profile, peptide biopesticides are not yet formally recognized as “biologicals” under EU law. Unlike microbial or botanical biocontrol agents, peptides are grouped with synthetic chemical pesticides. This misclassification subjects them to the conventional, lengthy, and costly approval process designed for chemical products — a process ill-suited for peptides' unique nature and mode of action.

Estupinan explains, “This is not about lowering safety standards. It’s about modernizing regulation so that products are evaluated based on their actual characteristics rather than superficial categories. Peptides degrade rapidly, are highly specific, and have minimal environmental impact compared to synthetic pesticides. They represent a new class of tools that deserve regulatory treatment reflecting their distinctiveness.”

The Promise of Peptides for Sustainable Agriculture

Peptide biopesticides serve as vital tools for integrated pest management, offering an alternative to synthetic chemicals and helping combat resistance. They align closely with the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy and Green Deal goals, which aim to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture while enhancing food system resilience.

Vestaron’s flagship peptide insecticide, the first in over a decade to introduce a novel mode of action, demonstrates that innovation can simultaneously deliver efficacy and sustainability. These products have been scientifically validated and are commercially viable, already used worldwide.

The EU’s Proposed Regulatory Reforms: A Step Forward?

The European Commission has proposed reforms to accelerate biopesticide approvals, included in its Vision for Agriculture and Food expected later this year. While this represents progress, Estupinan stresses the reforms must explicitly include peptide-based products to unlock their potential. Without such inclusion, the EU risks undermining innovation and sending a discouraging signal to agtech developers.

“We are committed to working with EU policymakers to shape a regulatory framework that supports sustainable innovation,” Estupinan adds. Vestaron has invested heavily in field trials, collaborated with regulatory bodies, and engaged farmers across countries to demonstrate peptides’ productivity benefits and ecological advantages.

Biocontrol Beyond Microbes and Botanicals

Recent data indicates that while pesticide use in the EU has declined 46% since 2015-2017, the use of highly toxic substances has risen by 5%, reflecting the diminishing effectiveness of chemical pesticides and the shortage of new tools.

Peptides are not a silver bullet but represent a critical component of integrated pest management strategies. Their specificity and biodegradability can delay resistance development, contributing to long-term pest control sustainability.

If the EU aims to lead in agricultural innovation, it must broaden its regulatory definition of biocontrol agents beyond microbes and botanical extracts to include peptide-based biopesticides.

Risks of Lagging Behind in Agtech Innovation

Failure to modernize pesticide regulations has real consequences for European farmers, food security, and environmental stewardship. Without clear pathways for peptide products, the EU risks falling behind global leaders in agricultural technology and forcing farmers to rely on older, less sustainable tools.

The coming months will be decisive. Brussels must act boldly to streamline pesticide approvals while ensuring rigorous safety assessments. This includes allocating sufficient resources and creating efficient evaluation processes tailored to peptides.

“The technology exists. The science supports it. Farmers want it. Now, policies must catch up,” Estupinan concludes.