Bayer has stopped selling its fungicide with pencicuron in the UK. The reason is the uncertainty with the maximum residue of this pesticide in the potato crop.
The sale of Monceren fungicide, which contains pencicuron and is intended to protect potatoes from the soil pathogen Rhizoctonia solani, which causes the black scab, a dangerous crop disease, was discontinued in the UK by the German chemical giant, as the company is considering the potential consequences for the processed crop.
The maximum residual quantity limit (MRL) for pencicuron is currently being considered by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in a process that began in 2011.
In December 2018, the body published its “Justified Opinion” on the maximum residues of pencicuron and proposed to withdraw the MRL for potatoes and vegetables, which would mean deregistration of these crops.
Subsequently, Bayer presented new evidence in support of the use of fungicide in potato plantings, which should be reviewed by regulatory authorities before any final decision is made.
Nevertheless, discussion at meetings was regularly postponed, and a final decision has not yet been made.
If the cancellation of the pencicuron occurs this fall, a likely scenario would mean that the plantings should be processed by April 2020, and, importantly, all harvested potatoes will have to be sold by October 2020, otherwise farmers risk violating the law.
The company said in a statement: “Given this unclear situation and the potential consequences for the potato grower when using a product that could potentially cause concern with sales of harvested crops, Bayer decided to stop selling products containing pencicuron. It also recommends that distributors and agronomists advise potato producers to stop using these products until a final decision on the value of MRL is received. ”
If the company receives favorable news on this issue, sales of fungicides containing pencicuron in the UK will resume.
Source: https://www.agroxxi.ru/
(Source: www.farminguk.com).