AgroPages-Eden Research's Cedroz product gains temporary authorisation in Italy-Agricultural news

Eden Research PLC said last Friday its nematicide product being sold as Cedroz had been granted "emergency use" authorisation in Italy for 120 days.

Eden explained its commercial partner in the country, Eastman Chemical Co, which sells the nematicide under the Cenroz brand name, was granted the emergency use green light by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture.

Emergency use authorisations are allowed by European Union countries in cases where local regulatory authorities judge that the products are needed in the local market in the absence of suitable alternatives. In the meantime, Eastman and Italian regulators will continue to progress their authorisation of Cedroz.

"Following Eden's initial investment in the formulation and patent protection of this important product, Eastman has invested significant resource over the past three years in the further development of Cedroz, and it is pleasing to see our collective efforts coming to fruition," Eden Chief Executive Officer Sean Smith said.

"The Italian market represents a significant opportunity for Cedroz and, as such, it is great to see the regulatory authorities respond positively by granting this emergency authorisation," Smith added. "This also verifies that there is a limited number of alternative products available to tackle nematodes in the Italian market and consequently growers need new tools to help control this damaging pest on a range of important high-value crops."

"Traditional crop protection products are increasingly coming under threat from global regulatory pressures based upon the potential impact these products may have on the environment," Smith continued. "There is significant and increasing demand for biopesticides as alternatives to conventional pesticide treatments due to their health and environmental safety profiles. We are looking forward to working with Eastman to capitalise on this growing demand and helping them to launch Cedroz in a number of new territories, including the UK."