AgroPages-Brazilian fruit growers defend release of agrochemicals for small crops‏-Agricultural news

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The lack of specific agrochemicals registered for the use on minor crops in Brazil has made the fruit growers worried, which have to spray on the orchards the products that are allowed for other crops such as corn and soybean.

Concerning on the issue, the president of the Brazilian Association of Fruit Growers and Exporters (Abrafrutas), Luís Roberto Barcellos, and the president of Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA), Tom Prado, gathered with the minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply, Kátia Abreu, asking for changes of the legislation that defines the extension of agrochemical uses to spray on minor crops.

Currently, only the patent holder can request use extension in Brazil. Thus, the farmer often faces the lack of interest of the manufacturers to extend the use of a product on more different crops. In countries which are direct competitors of Brazil on agriculture, such as Australia, United States, and Canada, rural producers, agronomists and researchers, other professional comity can request for an extension of the use. "We are lagging behind the countries that are our competitors," said the president of Abrafrutas.

The consequence of this situation for the fruit growers in Brazil, in the international market, is the loss of new market, while in the domestic market, farmers end up "in the illegality" and are often penalized for wrong use of agrochemicals.

In response to the request of the sector, the minister Kátia Abreu said that he will analyze the possibility of reviewing the law regarding extensions, as defined by the Decree 4.074/2002. "We want farmers also participate in the game," affirmed Luís Roberto Barcellos.