Brazil approves emamectin for emergency use

The Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil allowed the use of unregistered pesticides to control plague affecting soy and cotton fields. The measure, implemented because of an emergency situation, authorizes the use of products that contain emamectin benzoate, a toxic substance for the nervous system.

Pesticide use is regulated in the country by the Agricultural Chemical Safety Assessment Technical Committee, formed by members of the Ministry of Agriculture, of the Ministry of Environment, and Anvisa. Members of the last two institutions are in charge of assessing the hazards of these products to the public health.

Pesticides were released after the current spread of the bollworm helicoverpa armigera.  This measure had been proposed in March, in order to declare emergency until the 2014/2015 harvest. However, representatives of the Brazilian Environment Institute and Anvisa opposed the release.