Brazilian government approves 51 additional pesticides, totaling 262 this year

By Arkady Petrov
 

The Ministry of Agriculture approved, on Monday, July 22nd, the registration of more than 51 pesticides, totaling 262 this year. The pace of release of new pesticides is the highest ever seen for the period.
 

Of this total, seven are formula-based products, those that farmers may buy in agricultural supplies stores. The active principle sulfoxaflor, which controls insects attacking fruits and grains, such as the whitefly and psyllids, is found in six of these products.
 

Sulfoxaflor is linked to the reduction of bee swarms and is under study abroad. According to the government, the use of pesticides in Brazil should follow the guidelines established by the Brazilian Environmental Institute (IBAMA).
 

Farmers will be required to follow specific rules for use, such as avoid applying during crop flowering periods and to follow the maximum product weights and minimum application distances from edges to protect stingless bees.
 

The Ministry states that restrictions on pesticide use will feature on product labels and will be established according to each ingredient and crop.
 

Sulfoxaflor was granted industrial use registration at the end of 2018, and the formulated product was under final evaluation by environmental authorities. After undergoing public consultation, the product was approved by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) and by IBAMA.
 

Among the formulated products registered this Monday is another weedkiller based on the active ingredient florpirauxifen-benzil. The industrial product had already been approved in June.
 

Another 44 are “equivalent” products, which are generic, having active ingredients already authorized in the country.
 

Out of this number, 18 are for industrial technical products and 26 other products are formulated, four of which are microbiological in origin.
 

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the faster release of pesticides over the last three years is due to “measures to reduce red tape” adopted by the bodies assessing the products, in particular, the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), considered the main obstacle.