Brazil eliminates import tax for Bti biological products

The Chamber of Foreign Trade of the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade has eliminated the import tax for biological insecticides formulated with the Bti base (Bacillus thuringiensis, var. Israelensis). The justification for the waiver of the 14% rate is to cheapen the manufacture of products capable of combating the Aedes aegypti mosquito – which is the transmitter of viruses such as dengue, zika and chikungunya.

According to the Ministry, the decision helps to control the caterpillar Helicoverpa armigera. Though it widens the targets to other insects, the “Bacillus thuringiensis is free from toxicological classification, being harmless for the environment and the non-targeted organisms ((EFSA, 2012a; EPA, 1998; Sanco, 2008a), according to the Technical University of Lisbon (Portugal).

"The tenebrionis, israelensis and kurstaki subspecies have no toxic effects in mammals (Sanco, 2008d a 2008h). It was observed a slight irritation is observed when inhaled or through contact, but without toxic effects (EPA, 1998). There were no acute toxicity effects in birds or aquatic organisms. It is not carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic (Anonymous, 1994; EPA, 1998)”, adds the research, signed by agronomist Sara Sofia Ferreira Pinóia.

"There were no direct toxicity to predator insects nor parasites, and any effect seems to be caused indirectly. In field studies, insects that are not main targets and its respective natural enemies were not found group species that were affected (EPA,1998),” concludes.