Philippine FPA Updates Guidelines for Plant-Incorporated Protectants PIPs

The Philippines Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) has recently revised its guidelines for the registration of Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) to align with the agency's policies on biorational pesticides. The updated guidelines aim to streamline the registration process and ensure the safe and effective use of PIPs in the Philippines.

Key updates:

• Plants having numerous PIP incidents must be registered as ‘new products’ with the FPA.

• The FPA has revised the definition, clarifying terminology such as "regulated articles," "pest protected plant," and "risk assessment".

• Applicants must now include a notarised application form prescribed by the FPA, a copy of the CPR for each individual component PIP, a risk assessment report and a draft commercial product label.

• Registration and labelling requirements: Products with single PIPs or stacked PIPs with non-PIPs must be recorded in the FPA registry. A letter of intent, an application form, a Certificate of Product Registration, and a draft product label are required.

• Experimental Use Permits: Fully registered single PIPs must apply for an EUP III and provide extra documentation such as a bioefficacy field study methodology and final report.

• Stacked PIPs, with or without non-PIPs, can apply for label expansion without additional bioefficacy evidence if the single component PIP has already been registered.

• Label requirements for seed bags and tags: Labels must be in English and include certain information such as the name, address of the registration holder and the batch number. Seed bags for GM insect-resistant yellow corn must include a securely attached seed tag.

The amended rules are intended to provide a complete and more transparent framework for the registration and use of PIPs in the Philippines. The recommendations help to promote sustainable and responsible development of agricultural biotechnology by aligning with the FPA's principles on biorational pesticides.

*Source