Workshops on Alternative Methods to the Use of Animals in Toxicity testing of Plant Protection Products, for regulatory purposes: a useful tool for their promotion and acceptance in Latin America.

PINA, JUAN IGNACIO; GELOSI, LUIS; DIAZ, SILVIA; MOYA, ALDANA; GUTIÉRREZ, MARÍA LAURA

Valdivia

Congreso; SETAC Latin American 14th biennial meeting; 2021

SETEAC

The use and acceptance of alternative methods to animal testing in regulatory studies of plant protection products in Argentina and Latin America is still limited. Currently, the legislation for the registration of these products and the regulatory authorities responsible for their authorizations, require toxicological studies carried out in animals and the acceptance of studies carried out by alternative methods is limited. In this context, it was proposed to organize an event with the aim of disseminate the existence of alternative methods available for the toxicological evaluation of plant protection products and to promote their acceptance by the regulatory authorities. In 2019, a working group was formed by representatives from academia, government and industry, interested in this subject. This group identified the workshops as an interesting tool to communicate and promote the use and acceptance of alternative methods. The first workshop was held in person at the School of Medicine of the University of Buenos Aires. The talks included referents presentation of each area and the possibility of exchanging opinions and knowledge in a round of questions and answers. Among the speakers were representatives of the Argentine regulatory authority, SENASA, academia and industry. There were more than 150 registered and 100 attendees to the event from different areas: academia, industry, government, service laboratories, and accreditation bodies. In 2020, a second workshop was broadcast online. There were more than 500 registered and an audience greater than 200 people during the entire duration of the event. Among the speakers, there were referents from the European Union, the United States of America and Brazil, who spoke about the situation in their countries. Additionally, in a second block, representatives of the academy, the cosmetics industry and the service laboratory, shared their experiences in Argentina. Currently, the third edition is being organized to be held in November 2021, with the aim of continue generating a space for updating and exchange, and with greater scope. The workshops are a useful tool to exchange knowledge, disseminate progress and promote the acceptance of alternatives to animal testing in toxicological studies of plant protection products in Latin America, evidenced by the great interest they have had both by representatives of the industry, as from the academy and the government.