Pathways to Biocontrol
About
As climate change intensifies pest and disease pressures and global markets demand more sustainable production systems, biological control technologies are becoming an essential component of the future crop protection toolkit. Yet despite rapid advances in microbial products, semiochemicals, RNA-based technologies and other biological innovations, Australia's regulatory, trialling, investment and adoption systems have not evolved at the same pace.
Aligned with the ambitions of ANU by 2030, this initiative leverages ANU's role as Australia's national university to convene diverse stakeholders, provide trusted and independent advice, and address challenges of national significance through evidence-led collaboration. ANU is uniquely positioned, bringing together sectors that do not often engage collectively to develop practical pathways for innovation and adoption.
Convene for consequence
The initiative will comprise a series of semi-public forums and roundtables that bring together local and international leaders from across the biocontrol ecosystem, including:
- Regulators and policymakers
- Researchers and technology developers
- Industry and commercial users
- Research and Development Corporations (RDCs)
- Peak industry bodies
- Growers, advisers and extension professionals
- Investors and innovation enablers
Pathways to Biocontrol is designed to produce tangible outputs that inform decision-making and guide future investment.
Together, these reports will provide a roadmap for building a more responsive, coordinated and future-ready biocontrol ecosystem in Australia.
Reports
Workshop 1: 
Why AFII?
As Australia's national university, The Australian National University has a distinct responsibility to contribute knowledge that serves the nation, build capability of strategic importance, and provide advice that governments and communities can rely upon. Through Pathways to Biocontrol, AFII, as an ANU Innovation Institute, will apply its convening power, academic independence and deep connections across government, industry and research to facilitate constructive dialogue and evidence-informed policy development.
Pathways to Biocontrol will establish the trusted national platform needed to align stakeholders, inform policy, and accelerate the adoption of biological solutions that strengthen Australia's agricultural productivity, resilience and sustainability.
By connecting knowledge, policy and practice, the initiative will help create the enabling environment required for biocontrol to become a mainstream component of Australia's future agricultural system.
Events and Related Articles
Mapping Current Opportunities and Regulatory Hurdles - A diagnostic and scene setting workshop focused on building common understanding, clarifying scope, and identifying the barriers and friction points that shape the development, assessment and adoption of biological products in Australia.
Building on the December 2025 Canberra workshop, this session brings together experts from Canada, the United States and Brazil to share insights on, Regulatory and policy systems & data requirements, Adoption in practice and at scale, Small markets & international collaboration.
Biocontrol is moving from niche to necessity. As climate pressures grow, Australia must modernise its regulatory and trial systems so innovative, low‑toxicity biological tools can strengthen future crop protection and farm resilience. An article by Owen Atkin, Director, ANU Agrifood Innovation Institute
In December 2025, AFII brought together experts from industry, researchers, research development corporations, growers, and government agencies to discuss the barriers to increase use of biological control products. Their insights form the basis of a report released today.