Brazil registers only 5 new molecules for pesticide technical products annually

The latest report presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock stated that in 2022, 641 pesticides were registered in Brazil.

So far in 2023, 249 have been registered, which "does not represent the total number of products used in the field," according to CropLife Brazil. 

Out of the total number in 2022, 279, or 43%, correspond to raw materials intended for the industry and do not reach Brazilian crops. The other part consists of commercial products of biological origin at 125 products or 21%, and chemical origin with 237 products or 36%, with the latter including 202 products containing molecules already in use in Brazil, and only 35 being chemicals from new molecules.

″Therefore, when presenting the number of approved pesticides in one year, we cannot say that it represents the total chemical pesticides used in the field by farmers. This is because the granted registrations of technical products intended for the industry and biological products also add up to formulated products, which are chemical pesticides that reach rural producers,″ said the organization. 

″When correctly assessing the registration of pesticides in Brazil, we can see a limitation in the approval of unprecedented active ingredients, that is, new technologies for plant defense in the chemical area,″ it added.

The data shows that only 106 new molecules (PTN) were approved between 2000 and so far in 2023, with an average approval rate of 4.7 new molecules per year. Moreover, it is important to note that when a new molecule is approved in Brazil, it is likely already in use in major rival markets.

According to CropLife Brazil's survey, between 2000 and 2023, 5,354 pesticides were registered in Brazil. Of these, 58% were intended for farmers (46% chemicals and 12% biological), and 42% were raw materials for the industry. In 2022, in the chemical pesticides sector, 237 new products were registered, but there was no significant approval of new technologies.

"If we look in detail, we will see that 202 are Formulated Products (PF). In other words, products that use active ingredients that had already been registered, or a mixture of these actives, presenting in this registration new formulations or ones based on Technical Equivalent Products, which correspond to 'generic' products, also called 'post-patent.' In other words, commercial products that have active ingredients already registered in Brazil and lost their patents," explained CropLife Brazil. Only 35 are New Formulated Products (PFN), products with unprecedented active ingredients in the formulation.

In the biological sector in 2022, 125 new products were registered for pest and disease control. In 2020, there was already a rise in the number of registrations for these products, with a record, compared to historical averages, of 85 biologicals with the potential to enter the national market.

″This number reflects the growing interest in increasingly sustainable products in the field and the need for technology integration to overcome the challenges facing agriculture,″ said the organization.

″Few new products are offered to Brazilian farmers compared to other countries where agriculture is an important sector of the economy. As a result, Brazil receives new products later than its competitors,″ it added.

″Pesticide legislation is lagging behind scientific advances. If we consider the fact that more sustainable products are developed as we advance in knowledge, we are missing opportunities to be more efficient. Therefore, the modernization of the law can result in the arrival of more modern molecules and more sustainable alternatives for agriculture,″ CropLife said in conclusion.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)

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