Yanett Gallegos, Director of Research, Development and Processes at Altus Biotech, has participated in the conference “Attention to the Decree to Do Without Glyphosate in Mexico”, invited by Conahcyt.
The following is his presentation:
Attention to the Decree to Dispose of Glyphosate in Mexico. Scientific results: It is possible to produce food without pesticides, viable alternatives to glyphosate.
Globally, there is an increasing demand for bioinputs, with a particular focus on bioherbicides, to meet the more than 93 million hectares worldwide that produce food without the use of glyphosate and other pesticides.
Bioherbicides represent a viable alternative to glyphosate in the Mexican agricultural industry, offering an environmentally friendly solution without risks to human health. However, its large-scale adoption faces several challenges that require the collaboration and support of all sectors to overcome them and take advantage of its potential to benefit the health of Mexicans, with a common goal: our collective wellbeing.
Conahcyt’s Mexican Model of Sovereign Innovation for Well-Being was able to articulate a multidisciplinary, interinstitutional and intersectoral effort to address in a coordinated and joint manner what was established by the Presidential Decree published on December 31, 2020. In this context, a series of actions have been implemented to promote the use and development of bioherbicides, while at the same time exploring alternatives available in the national and international market. This effort involved the mapping of relevant actors, scientists and technologists, companies, producers and social groups, establishing effective mechanisms for technology transfer at different levels, with the objective of guaranteeing the supply of different bioinputs that meet national demands, both community and industrial.
Several bioherbicides available on the international market have been identified, including products such as Beloukha, Burn Out Formula 2 and Weed Zap, which are already approved in both the European Union and the United States. Close coordination with the Ministry of Economy is essential to streamline the process of importing and marketing these products in Mexico, taking care of and favoring 100% Mexican science and technology-based companies.
In our country, at least three bioherbicides are already available in their final commercial formulation and are about to start their regulatory approval process. These bioherbicides represent a short-term option and are manufactured and marketed by small and medium-sized Mexican companies.
Under the coordination of Conahcyt, several efforts were supported that generated optimal formulations with bioherbicide effects that consider agronomic efficacy and toxicological and eco-toxicological profiles that comply with Mexican regulatory standards. In addition, industrial scale-up processes are being implemented to ensure adequate efficiency and costs from the laboratory to the field. Of these formulations, three have industrial applications and have undergone extensive testing in 1,000 production units in 18 Mexican states. One of them has already been recently approved by Senasica and is in the process of submitting its approval dossier to Cofepris. The rest are ready to begin the regulatory approval process.
The initial production capacity of these 100% Mexican bioherbicides is 3.6 million liters/year, which can be increased through technology transfer alliances between these private sector actors truly committed to the country, which I represent today.
Therefore, it is essential to continue promoting the consolidation of bioherbicides developed in the country, as well as other bio-inputs, in order to offer the population safe alternatives. In addition, this will strengthen a Mexican industry with the potential to position itself solidly in the international arena. Collaboration between the Mexican government and the private sector is key to guaranteeing success and ensuring that the benefits reach the Mexican people. In the Mexican bioinputs industry, we are committed to continue contributing and collaborating in a decisive manner for the good of Mexico. Thank you very much.
