EU to restrict herbicide glufosinate

The European Commission has announced the restrictions for the use of the herbicide glufosinate, which will be effective from Nov 13, 2013. 

The decision is based on the additional information provided by the notifier, the Commission considered that the further confirmatory information required had not been provided and that a high risk for mammals and non- target arthropods could not be excluded except by imposing further restrictions.

The active ingredient will only be authorised for band or spot application at rates not exceeding 750 g ai/ha (treated surface) per application, with a maximum of two applications per year.

EU member states must amend or withdraw existing product authorizations in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 by Nov 13, 2013 .They may set a grace period of up to one year for use of existing stocks.New approvals should include the application of drift-reducing nozzles and spray shields, together with relevant labelling.

Glufosinate obtained EU approval for use in apple orchards in 2007.