Image courtesy of Philip Moore.
The objective of the Biopesticide Regulatory Support Program is to further the development and registration of biopesticides for use in pest management systems on specialty crops, or for specialty uses on major crops.
IR-4 provides regulatory assistance to public sector scientists and small businesses navigating the EPA registration process. Biopesticides include microorganisms, plant extracts, natural products and biotechnology.
Economic Impacts of Biopesticide Regulatory Support
$1.58 Billion*
Contribution to organic crop production
$2.14 Billion*
Contribution to GDP
25,700*
Jobs supported
*According to a 2022 report conducted by the Michigan State University Center for Economic Analysis, based on 2021 numbers.
Biopesticide News
The Fight Against Citrus Greening: Emerging Biologicals Offer Hope
Learn about the devastation of citrus greening and options currently being explored in this story by Robin Siktberg.
The “Swiss Watch” of Crops: How IR-4 Supports Mushroom Production
Learn how IR-4 supports mushroom growers in this story by Robin Siktberg.
EPA and FDA Consider Change in Pest Management Product Oversight
Learn IR-4’s perspective on a potential change in honey bee product regulation.
The IR-4 Project Continues to Have a Significant Impact on Nation’s Economy
The IR-4 Project is known within the specialty crop agriculture community to be a highly productive government funded research project that has delivered many registrations of necessary crop protection products to growers.
2021 Annual Report and Executive Director Message
The 2021 IR-4 Project Annual Report and Year-End Summary are now available.
IR-4 Project Awarded Four-Year, $56 Million Grant from USDA
For the first time, IR-4 has received a four-year grant for its operations, rather than a traditional one year grant. NC State University will award funding each year to IR-4’s regional host universities through subawards built into the grant. Indirect costs have been waived for the first year.
SOAR Award: Nomination Deadline Extended to April 19
The IR-4 Project is now accepting nominations for the 2021 SOAR Award. This award honors external partners who exemplify the areas of Service, Outreach, Altruism and Research, while supporting specialty crop growers and the mission of the IR-4 Project. If you know someone who demonstrates excellence in these areas, we encourage you to nominate them for this award. Nominees […]
2020 Annual Report Now Available
The 2020 IR-4 Project Annual Report is now available. The year 2020 was like no other year in the history of the IR-4 Project. Despite a world-wide pandemic changing day-to-day aspects of how we work, funding uncertainty, and the transition of IR-4 headquarters from Rutgers University to North Carolina State University, our dedicated team of [...]
IR-4 Efforts to Provide Knowledge and Capacity on Pesticide MRLs is Recognized
In December 2017, seventeen senior government officials signed a joint statement acknowledging the productive work of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) in building knowledge and capacity for developing countries in the area of pesticide maximum residue levels (MRLs). STDF provided the funding for the USDA’s IR-4 Project to provide […]