Brazil MAPA authorizes foliar use of 15 Imidacloprid-based pesticides

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply (MAPA) has increased the number of registered agricultural pesticides containing the active ingredient Imidacloprid from 44 to 59, allowing their application on plants (foliar use). This decision is outlined in Act No. 55 from the Agricultural Defense Secretariat.

The expansion added 15 generic products to the list, which were previously authorized only for seed treatment. Imidacloprid is used to control pests such as stink bugs, whiteflies, and the cowpea weevil in soybean crops, aphids and whiteflies in cotton, and leafhoppers and thrips in corn, among other crops.

The ministry's equal treatment of all registration processes for these products follows a request from the Brazilian Cotton Producers Association (Abrapa), the Brazilian Association of Corn and Sorghum Producers (Abramilho), the Brazilian Soybean Producers Association (Aprosoja Brasil), and the Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (CNA).

Until now, the foliar use of Imidacloprid was allowed for only 44 agricultural pesticides containing this active ingredient, which limited product availability and kept prices at higher levels for farmers.

According to Aprosoja Brasil, the increased availability may lead to lower product prices in the market and greater competitiveness and income for Brazilian farmers.

Despite MAPA's compliance with the decision, Sindiveg (National Union of the Industry of Plant Protection Products) told AgroPages that it is still awaiting IBAMA's (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) compliance with the ruling as part of a joint effort to ensure full respect for the law and consistency in administrative procedures.

″Sindiveg, a trade union representing the plant protection products industry in Brazil for over 80 years, reaffirms its commitment to legal security and equal treatment for all companies in the regulatory process,″ Sindiveg said in conclusion.

(Editing by Leonardo Gottems, reporter for AgroPages)