Regulations

Biostimulants: their role in agriculture 

Appearing in the 90s, biostimulants have become increasingly popular with farmers, as well as market gardeners and arborists. They help professionals address new environmental challenges, such as climate change. 

New agricultural constraints 

As heatwaves become more frequent and floods more common, it is increasingly difficult to secure crop yields without resorting to fertilizers or fertilizing substances. Nowadays, farmers have to deal with climate change and its numerous consequences. Cold, drought, excessive water… the increasingly unpredictable climate makes harvests uncertain. No plant is truly spared from these natural threats.  

Although it’s impossible to control nature and its conditions, some innovations are emerging to limit the damage caused by climate change. This is particularly the case with biostimulants, which strengthen plants sustainably and naturally. 

The benefits of biostimulants 

Biostimulants help activate the metabolism of plants and strengthen their tolerance to abiotic stress (heat, excess water, etc.). This way, plants are much more resilient and crops are secure. 

Biostimulants are often made from algae extracts, trace elements, or even microorganisms. In fact, they can act at several levels (roots or leaves) depending on their active ingredients and method of application. Depending on the goals of the farmers, the desired effects may vary since biostimulants have targeted actions.  

What are the environmental guidelines for farmers? 

The marketing of products intended for professionals, like farmers, is regulated. The increase in these regulations over the years is also due to the growing importance of environmental and health issues in political and social debates. Nowadays, consumers are also concerned about issues that affect their health and the environment. From production to plate, what are  the main guidelines to follow  today? 

Water management: overcoming shortages more effectively 

Managing and using water in agriculture today requires new agroecological strategies. The goal is to  promote more sustainable water management  to ensure more environmentally friendly irrigation of agricultural crops. SDAGE, SAGE, DCE, LEMA… Several laws, decrees, and directives aim to preserve water and better distribute it during drought-related crises. 

From the CAP to the Green Deal: protecting the environment

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is another initiative implemented at the European level. Several legal acts have been  passed and unified within the European Union through this policy.  

For the 2023-2027 period, the CAP also aims to combat climate change and restore biodiversity by promoting sustainable agricultural practices and providing tools to help farmers manage economic and climate risks. 

The Green Deal, or European Green Deal, is currently a crucial  roadmap for the agricultural sector. Launched by the European Commission in 2019, this project aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 and specifically seeks to  transition towards sustainable agriculture by reducing the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, protecting biodiversity, and promoting the circular economy, among other actions. 

How are biostimulants regulated? 

Biostimulants are products whose marketing is regulated. Since its implementation in July 2022, EU Regulation 2019/1009 provides a harmonized regulatory framework for biostimulants for the first time in the European Union. 

What are fertilizers and growing media? 

In France, biostimulants are registered under the category of Fertilizing Materials and Culture Supports (MFSC). Products included in this regulation are those that improve plant nutrition and soil properties. Biostimulants made from plant extracts, microorganisms, algae extracts, amino acids, humic substances, or fermentation metabolites fit well within this classification. 

Biostimulants: a new definition 

Under the new French regulations that categorize biostimulants as Fertilizing Materials and Culture Supports, these products now have an official definition, stated as follows:  

A plant biostimulant is a product that stimulates plant nutrition processes independently of the nutrients it contains, solely to improve one or more of the following characteristics of plants or their rhizosphere: 

a) nutrient use efficiency;

b) tolerance to abiotic stress;

c) qualitative characteristics;

d) the availability of nutrients confined in the soil or the rhizosphere.

Professionals in the field believe that this new definition of biostimulants will likely encourage many countries to establish their own regulations.  

Biostimulants: what is truly changing? 

Throughout Europe, several new developments are now regulating the biostimulants market. CE marking, quality guarantees, common safety thresholds, field effectiveness… From health regulations to quality criteria and agronomic effectiveness, biostimulant regulations have been partially clarified since 2019, which should enhance the global deployment of these solutions (credibility concern).  

Having joined the family of fertilizer products, biostimulants that comply with the EU FPR Regulation benefit from CE marking, ensuring their free circulation within the European Union. It is important to know that they are notably composed of one or more categories of constituent materials, as listed in the European regulation. This allows to better structure them in the market and provides them with greater recognition among professionals. 

Regarding the labeling of biostimulants, a certain amount of information must now be indicated on the product labels to ensure transparency and traceability in the European market: commercial name, manufacturer’s name and address, product description, category, usage instructions, active ingredients, batch or serial number, usage precautions, manufacturing date and/or expiration date, environmental information, and so on. All of this is now  mandatory for biostimulant manufacturers in the European Union.