A regulatory opportunity for lab to field transfer of biostimulant substances

Interest in biostimulants is rising among all actors from researchers (for mode of action) to farmers (end users), and corresponding regulation is slowly following with implementations at European and national level. In this study, we exhibit the current situation of a particular branch of biostimulants regulation at French level. These biostimulants are of natural source and denominated “Substances Naturelles à Usage Biostimulant” (abrev. SNUB). A large number of plant-based substances have already been authorised through this pathway (~1200), and some others, currently undergoing applications, are likely to be authorised in the near future. We also explain the conditions for a specific substance to be eligible as SNUB and the opportunities that are opened by this new type of regulation in order to allow and transfer such substance from labs to field uses.