EU to expand tebuconazole approval

EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH) has voted positively on a proposal to expand the approval for the fungicide tebuconazole, to use as a plant growth regulator. Bayer CropScience submitted an application for allowing the use of tebuconazole on oilseed rape as a plant growth regulator without restriction, to Denmark as rapporteur Member state in 2010. 

 

The European Commission says it is appropriate to extend the approval of tebuconazole to use as plant growth regulator without restriction, however, the potential for groundwater exposure of the metabolite 1,2,4-triazole should be taken into account. In the assessment, the Member States should pay attention to the operator and worker safety, the dietary exposure of consumers, the potential for groundwater contamination, and adopting risk mitigation measures such as buffer zones. 

 

Tebuconazole was approved to use as fungicide on cereals (wheat, barley, oat, rye)) and grape (wine and table) in 2009. The Committee’s opinion requires formal publication before entering into force.