Brazil MAPA approved five new pesticides

The Act No. 32 of the Department of Plant Protection and Agricultural Defense Secretariat Agricultural Inputs, published on July 23, 2021, in the Official Gazette, reveals a record 51 formulated pesticides, that is, products that are available for use by farmers.

Of these, 17 are considered low impact or biobased.

Of the products registered today, five of them contain active ingredients that are new to Brazil, three of which are of biological origin, which can be used in organic agriculture, and two of a chemical origin.

The three new biological products (Neoseiulus barkeri,  Neochrysocharis formosa, Neoseiulus idaeus) were registered based on the Reference Specification (RE) and can be used in any culture system.

The Neoseiulus barkeri, is the first product in Brazil registered for control of red mite palm trees (Raoiella indica), a major pest in coconut palms. The same product, which was registered based on ER 45, can also be recommended for the control of white mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus).

“Although we have options of chemical products to control white mite, this is the first biological product to control this pest,” explained the General Coordinator of Pesticides and Related Products, Bruno Breitenbach.

The parasitoid Neochrysocharis formosa also stands out for being the first registered biological product based on ER 44. Until now, the producers only had a chemical to control the mining larvae (Liriomyza sativae).

The biological defensive Neoseiulus idaeus, which was registered based on Reference Specification nº 46, is recommended for the control of spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). Although there are other biological products to control this pest, this one is another alternative control with low impact.

Regarding chemicals, one of the new active ingredients is cyclaniliprole. It has been registered to control the Helicoverpa armigera caterpillar in cotton, corn and soybean crops. The product is also used to control the coffee moth (Leucoptera coffeella) in the coffee crop, and the small fruit borer (Neoleucinodes elegantali) and tomato moth (Tuta Absolute) in tomato plants.

The other is isofetamid, a fungicide to control white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) in soybean, bean, potato, tomato and lettuce crops. The product has also been suggested for the control of gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) in onions and grapes, and apple scab (Venturia inaequalis)  in apple culture.

The other products use active ingredients previously registered in the country. The registration of generic pesticides is important to reduce market concentration and increase competition, which results in fairer trade and lower production costs for Brazilian agriculture.

All registered products have been analyzed and approved by the bodies responsible for health, environment and agriculture, according to scientific criteria and in line with the best international practices.