Previously, Criterion 10.8 of the South African Standard (FSC-STD0ZAF-01-2017 V1-0) stated: “The Organisation* shall* minimize, monitor* and strictly control the use of biological control agents* in accordance with internationally accepted scientific protocols*”.

The word ‘minimize’ was contested as the chance of biological control increasing would be expected with the enforced implementation of an IPM programme aimed at reducing pesticide reliance. As per the new FSC Pesticide policy:

TIPWG welcomes this new interpretation, released 24 February 2021, as it is more in line with a true IPM programme.