Organization of biological control of plant pests in slovenia | Ureditev bioticnega varstva rastlin v sloveniji

Integrated control of plant health combines various types of control, which are acceptable from the economic, ecological and toxicological perspective. Biological control of plant pests represents its essential part. Speaking of biological control of plant pests in terms of re-population of an indigenous population or even establishment of an exotic species of a useful organism into nature would go beyond the scope of plant health. Thus not only the principles of effectiveness and quality of biological control should be taken into consideration but also the rules and eventual risk for nature conservation and for biological diversity thereof. More detailed procedures for introduction, rearing and use of useful organisms are subject to the Rules on biological control of plant pests (Official Gazette RS, No 45/06), which came into force on 13 May 2006. Provisions of these Rules do not apply for the introduction and use of microorganisms, which are governed by regulations in the field of plant protection products and are subject to different risk assessment in the registration procedure. Useful organisms, which may be used for the purposes of biological control of plant pests may be indigenous or exotic species of organisms. The list of indigenous as well as the list of exotic species of organisms for the purposes of biological control of plant pests are managed by the Phytosanitary Administration RS on the website (www.furs.si). Great care should be taken at introducing exotic species into the nature, therefore risk assessment for nature should be made when lodging an application for introduction, as provided for with the regulation governing the implementation of assessment of risk to nature. The paper shall present the requirements concerning rearing as well as introduction and use of useful organisms in Slovenia. With a view to promote environmentally-friendly method of plant health the paper presents the conditions for introduction and use of useful organisms.