Implications of rising costs of registering agrochemicals

The increased number and complexity of the requirements for registration of agrochemicals are causing a steep rise in the costs of research and development and therefore in the price of agrochemicals. It now takes about 8–9 years for an agrochemical to be developed and marketed, at a probable cost of 10–20 million US dollars, and each of the individual tests required may cost up to US$ 500 000. A continuation of these trends would have serious consequences for industry, farmers, consumers and the developing countries. So far, the agrochemical industry has been able to continue to produce the new and improved materials necessary to combat changing pest attack: whether it can continue to do so may depend upon whether or not registration requirements are increased. Unnecessary requirements must be identified and eliminated, and any new demands must be fully justified in terms of the cost involved and of the ensuing benefits. However, if the search for greater safety were to be pushed to even greater lengths, so that costs exceed what the market will bear, the extra costs would have to be borne by the authorities and, ultimately, by the taxpayer.