Chamber of Deputies approves bioinputs bill

The Chamber of Deputies approved, last Wednesday (27/11), Bill 658/21, which regulates the production, commercialization and use of bioinputs in agriculture. The proposal now goes to the Senate for analysis.

What are bioinputs?

Bioinputs are products or processes developed from microorganisms, plant extracts, enzymes and macroorganisms, used for biological pest control, plant nutrition and growth promotion.

Exemption from registration for personal use

Among the highlights of the approved text is the exemption from registration for bioinputs produced and used on rural properties, as long as they are not commercialized.

This measure includes family farming units, cooperatives and other associative models, which will be able to produce bio-inputs with simplified registration. According to the project, use must follow good practices defined in regulations.

Reducing dependence on imported inputs

Currently, according to information from the Chamber of Deputies, Brazil imports 87% of the fertilizers and 80% of the pesticides used in agriculture. Deputies highlighted that regulation can reduce this dependence, in addition to fostering local innovations and guaranteeing Brazilian agricultural sovereignty.

For the author of the project, Brazil is at the forefront of bioinput legislation, opening doors for the export of sustainable technologies.

Economic and environmental impacts

According to the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the use of bioinputs could generate annual savings of up to US$5,1 billion in Brazil and reduce CO₂ equivalent emissions by 18,5 million tons. The main crops that could potentially benefit include soybeans, corn, sugarcane, rice and wheat.

Incentives and technical regulation

The project provides for tax incentives for microenterprises, cooperatives and family farmers, as well as differentiated interest rates through the National Rural Credit System for producers who adopt bioinputs. Specific rules will also establish good practices and require technical monitoring when necessary.

The regulation covers conventional, organic and agroecological cultivation systems, including rules for registering biofactories and trading bioinputs. For personal use, production will be permitted without registration, but with identification of the microorganisms used.

New rate

Bill 658/21 creates the Agricultural Defense Establishment and Product Registration Fee (Trepda) for the service of evaluating registration requests, the value of which varies from R$350 to R$3,5, adjusted annually by the Broad National Consumer Price Index (IPCA).

The amount to be paid will depend on the size of the establishment and will be collected in the following proportion: 50% for the federal agricultural defense agency, 25% for the federal environmental agency (Ibama) and 25% for the federal health agency.

The full original proposal can be read at the link below