AgroPages-In two years, butyl and isobutyl ester formulations of herbicide 2,4-D can no longer be used in Argentina-Agricultural news

In two years, butyl and isobutyl ester formulations of herbicide 2,4-D can no longer be used in Argentina

The Argentine National Food Safety and Quality Service (Senasa) published two resolutions in the Official Gazette that aim to phase out the use of butyl and isobutyl ester formulations of the herbicide, 2, 4-D.

“The importation, processing, fractionation, commercialization and use of the formulations of butyl and isobutyl ester of 2,4-D are prohibited at different stages. There are other formulations registered on the basis of the active principle 2,4-D that present a lower potential volatility, thus reducing the risk of drift external to the treated lot,” said the agency. The last formulations can still be used.

The deadlines for Senasa's prohibitions for butyl and isobutyl ester 2,4-D are as follows: 120 days from Wednesday for importation, 365 days for processing and fractionation, and 730 days for the commercialization and use.

Companies that have such products must declare their stocks in a term not exceeding 30 days, detailing the quantity of packaging, capacity, lot and expiration date. Those with stocks left over, must also declare them in no more than 15 days.

Senasa argued that the active substance of 2,4-D "could cause damage to agricultural, forest or other crops, due to its high volatility in different regions of the country".

In the provinces of Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Entre Ríos, Chaco, Santiago del Estero, Tucumán and La Pampa, the use of 2,4-D esters has already been prohibited and/or restricted, and progress is now being made on the national-level ban.