AgroPages-Brazil prosecutor appeals emamectin benzoate approval‏-Agricultural news

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Brazil's Federal Public Ministry appealed against a court decision that released the imports and use of emamectin benzoate in the state of Mato Grosso. In the filed appeal, the prosecution refers to high neurotoxicity of the substance, according to an evaluation of the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) and the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA).

Emamectin benzoate was released for use in Mato Grosso after a request of Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply. The emergency authorization was conceded 45 days ago by the Federal Regional Tribunal, in order to fight Helicoverpa armigera.

The Public Prosecution Office insists that there are no definitive studies about the effectiveness and safety of the product for the environment and the Brazilian crops. "Besides being illegal, it is already unreasonable to authorize the use of a product which is pending studies ", said the Public Ministry.

The prosecutors also allege that the release of chemical imports should not be granted by the federal government, even at emergency. They said that the law 12.873/2013 bans the use of agrochemicals that could harm the natural environment. There are over 63 tons of emamectin benzoate stocked in Mato Grosso.

"In the last three years, Brazil is the largest consumer of agrochemicals in the world, with impacts on public health on vast territories", says the Public Ministry.