| |
 |
|
|
Science Forum Index » Agriculture Forum » Atrazine axed in EU review
Page 1 of 1
|
| Author |
Message |
| Guest |
 Posted: Thu Oct 09, 2003 2:33 pm |
|
|
|
|
http://www.fwi.co.uk/article.asp?con=12558&sec=18&hier=2
Atrazine axed in EU review
Source: FWi
09 October 2003
By Tom Allen-Stevens
TWO mainstays of maize and field bean weed control programmes are to
be axed in the European pesticide review.
Simazine and atrazine, used by growers worldwide for over 40 years,
have not been granted re-registration by the EU pesticide regulatory
body.
But in a controversial move, paraquat has been granted approval, even
though its use is already banned in a number of European countries.
Few details have emerged as to why simazine and atrazine are to go and
how long the withdrawal period is likely to be.
But industry experts have warned that maize growers face higher weed
control bills, while that there are no alternative approved herbicides
for bean growers.
"It's a very disappointing decision, especially when you consider the
scientific committee gave the herbicides the thumbs-up," said Michael
Stopford, head of global public affairs for manufacturer Syngenta.
"But overall sales in Europe of simazine and atrazine are not that
large - paraquat is the more important one for us."
UK campaign manager Bruce McKenzie said alternative products for maize
are available, but herbicide costs would go up.
"Atrazine is cheap and cheerful and forms the backbone of maize weed
control programmes.
"But we won't be taking advantage of the situation by putting up
prices of newer alternative chemicals."
Beans would "prove to be more problematic", he said, since no
alternative chemistry to simazine has full approval.
"I hope the withdrawal period or essential use provisions will give
the industry enough time to come up with alternatives."
Meanwhile a coalition of European trade unions and environmental
groups have slammed the committee's decision to approve paraquat.
"Adding paraquat to the positive list will now allow greater use of
this toxic substance and could force it back onto the market in
countries where it is currently banned," said International Union of
Food Industries secretary general Ron Oswald.
But Syngenta said that paraquat gives farmers "a very valuable and
environmentally-friendly tool" and poses no harm to operators provided
label instructions are followed.
"It gives you a quick knock-down of weeds and has no weed resistance
problems," said Mr McKenzie. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
|
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT - 5 Hours
The time now is Fri Sep 05, 2008 8:41 pm
|
|