EU approval for spinosad
Date:05-12-2008
The European Commission has approved the use of Dow AgroSciences' insecticide, spinosad, on organic crops. Conditions of use require measures to be taken to minimise the risk to key parasitoids and the development of resistance. Spinosad gained full EU approval for use on conventional crops in 2007.
The Commission has also approved the fungicides, potassium bicarbonate and copper octanoate, for organic use. Potassium bicarbonate may help reduce the use of copper and sulfur in certain crop/pest combinations, the Commission notes. Copper octanoate is a new formulation that can be used for the same purpose as other copper compounds but at lower application rates, it adds. In addition, the Commission has extended permitted organic uses of the plant growth regulator, ethylene, to the degreening of citrus when part of a strategy to prevent fruit fly damage, and for sprout inhibition in stored potatoes and onions.
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