EU to approve Otsuka’s acaricide cyflumetofen

The European Commission has proposed to approve acaricide cyflumetofen from Otsuka Chemical. Cyflumetofen will be formally included in Annex I of EU plant protection products Regulation (1107/2009) on June 1st, 2013 and the approvals will expire on May 31st, 2023.

Cyflumetofen is a novel benzoylacetonitile acaricide developed by Otsuka AgriTechno. It has excellent efficacy against a variety of mites that attack fruits, nuts, vegetables, tea, and ornamentals. In addition, cyflumetofen exhibited long persistence efficacy against mites.

The Commission requires that member states shall pay particular attention to the protection of operators and workers; the protection of groundwater, when cyflumetofen is applied in regions with vulnerable soils and/or climatic conditions; the protection of drinking water; the risk to aquatic organisms. Conditions of use shall include risk mitigation measures, where appropriate.

In addition, the applicant shall submit confirmatory information regarding: (a) the possible mutagenic potential of the metabolite B3 (2-(trifluoromethyl) benzamide), by excluding an in vivo relevance of observed in vitro effects via an appropriate test protocol; (b) additional information to establish an ARfD for metabolite B3; (c) further ecotoxicological studies and assessments for aquatic vertebrates that cover their full life-cycle. This information shall be submitted by the applicant to the related authorities by May 31st, 2015.