What should be done if a new pest causes serious damage and there is no pesticide registered for it?

When a new pest causes significant damage and there is no existing registered pesticide available, applying for a special local needs registration is the appropriate course of action. This process allows for the expedited registration of a pesticide for a specific pest issue in a limited area. It is governed by regulatory frameworks that aim to provide solutions for urgent pest problems while ensuring safety and compliance with pesticide regulations.

This option is particularly valuable because it recognizes the urgency of the situation, enabling timely access to necessary pest control measures without waiting for a lengthy development or registration process for a new pesticide. This pathway is critical in agricultural practices where time-sensitive pest control can significantly affect crop yield and quality.

Developing a new pesticide can be a lengthy and costly initiative, typically not feasible in the short term when immediate action is required. Ignoring the problem until a suitable solution is available can lead to extensive losses and is not a viable strategy. Abandoning the crop may be seen as a last resort, which is neither practical nor beneficial when other solutions, such as local needs registration, are available to address the pest issue effectively.