Argentine has reached a historic milestone by approving 38 genetically modified organisms
Brazil
The Ministry of Agriculture has suspended 34 pesticide registrations due to non-compliance with the provisions of Notice No. 1. (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Act No. 61 from 12/22/2025)
In compliance with judicial decisions, Anvisa approves the toxicological assessment of s-metalachlor (Somax); and fluroxipyr meptyl (Proregistros). (Official Gazette of Brazil, Res. No. 5127 and 5128 from 12/18/2025, Anvisa)
The resolution of the Inter-ministerial Steering Committee of the National Program for the Reduction of Pesticides (Pronara) has approved its internal bylaws under the Secretariat-General of the Presidency. Focused on banning hazardous substances and transitioning to ecological and agroecological farming models, the program aims to reverse Brazil’s position as the world’s largest consumer of pesticides, promoting public health and sustainable agriculture through technical support, scientific research and incentives for healthy food production. (Federal Government, Pronara)
Ordinance No. 294/2025, from the Regional Labor Prosecution Office of the 17th Region, State of Espírito Santo, appoints Labor Prosecutor Bruno Gomes Borges da Fonseca as the Labor Prosecutor’s Office representative in the Forum to Combat Pesticides, effective January 1st of 2026, for a two-year term. (Official Gazette of Brazil, Ordinance No. 294 of 12/18/2025, Public Labor Ministry)
After 11 years at Adama Brazil, CEO Romeu Stanguerlin is concluding his leadership cycle at the company. He will be succeeded on an interim basis by Eric Dereudre (Global Commercial Director) starting in January 2026, until a permanent successor is appointed. (Adama)
A survey in urban and rural areas of Pelotas (2022–2023), State of Santa Catarina, found substantial niche overlap and host sharing among invasive fruit flies in the Brazilian Pampa biome, with potential implications for regional fruit production. On fruit still on the plant, Drosophila suzukii was dominant (consistent with a primary pest), while Zaprionus indianus and Zaprionus tuberculatus were more linked to fallen, decomposing fruit. The paper also reports new host associations for Ceratitis capitata in Brazil, including butiá (Butia capitata) and blue passionfruit (Passiflora caerulea) and highlights unmanaged human-modified areas as pest refuges. (Insects, DOI: 10.3390/insects16121285)
Target spot in soybean, caused by the fungus Corynespora cassicola, has expanded in Brazil and is reported to be growing by an average of 33% per year of the treated area, outpacing the progression seen for other major soybean diseases. Specialists note that more susceptible high-yield cultivars, Brazil’s large soybean acreage and succession systems are supporting the disease’s spread, and warn that a lack of preventive management can lead to yield losses of up to 20% of the crop’s productive potential. (FMC Corporation)
Researchers from Embrapa and the University of São Paulo have identified that a bacterium of the genus Streptomyces, isolated from Caatinga soils, produces molecules capable of inhibiting the germination of horseweed (Conyza canadensis), a difficult-to-control weed. Among the compounds, albocycline showed effectiveness at low concentrations, and the study is now moving toward the development of a potential bioherbicide. (Embrapa)
Brazil’s 2025/26 soybean crop is facing an alert due to increasing severity of Cercospora spp. in the South and the Cerrado, with symptoms appearing earlier in the season. Heat, short periods of high humidity and brief water stress have supported disease development and can reduce plant photosynthetic capacity. (Adama)
The National Union of the Plant Protection Products Industry and partner entities released an official guidance with recommendations to prevent drift when spraying hormonal herbicides, following reports of damage to sensitive crops, including vineyards. The document stresses spraying only under suitable weather conditions and with proper equipment, and reinforces the exclusive use of duly registered, authorized products. (Sindiveg)
The pressure of sugarcane weevil (Sphenophorus levis) and the sugarcane spittlebug (Mahanarva fimbriolata) has once again raised alarms regarding the productivity and longevity of sugarcane fields for the 2025/26 harvest. Technicians indicate that losses could reach high levels, and Embrapa cites impacts of up to 30 ton/ha/year in areas infested with the weevil. (UPL Brasil)
StoneX reports a weaker global demand has pressured urea prices, driving an accumulated drop of 18% at Brazilian ports between late August and the second week of December 2025, restoring urea’s competitiveness versus alternatives such as ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate. Looking into 2026. It notes that buyers’ nitrogen choices will remain highly dependent on relative price moves and external drivers, including application seasonality in the United States and China and India’s tender activity. (StoneX)
Researchers from the State University of Maringá reported, under laboratory conditions, high efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. aizawai (GC-91) against neonate Spodoptera eridania larvae, reaching 100% mortality within 168 hours at tested rates of a commercial bioinsecticide. The study also describes significant damage to the midgut following ingestion and notes that field validation is still required before practical on-farm recommendations. (UEM)
São Paulo’s Agricultural Defense authority informed to citrus growers to submit, by 15 January 2026, the semiannual report on citrus canker and greening, through the Animal and Plant Defense Management system, covering inspections carried out from July 1st to 31 December 2025. Submission is mandatory and supports targeted phytosanitary control actions and public policy; late or missing reports may lead to penalties. (Secretariat of Agriculture of São Paulo)
Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court, by an 8–2 vote, upheld the validity of the differentiated tax treatment applied to pesticides, keeping in force the rules under the National Council for Fiscal Policy Agreement No. 100/1997 and the framework maintained by Constitutional Amendment No. 132/2023. The lawsuits challenged the 60% reduction applied to the Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services on these products, but the majority ruled the tax benefits are not unconstitutional. (Federal Supreme Court)
Alex Merege assumes the role of Global Product Leader for Soybean at Bayer, while Ligia Izzo assumes the regional leadership of product supply in Latin America – responsible for seed manufacturing and crop protection operations – with both appointments effective January 1st, 2026, marking new strategic moves in the company’s agricultural division. (Bayer)
Brazil reached a historic record in 2025 with the registration of 139 biological inputs and 560 chemical pesticides, driven by the supply of generic products and microbiological agents, while also hitting a five-year peak of US$ 233 million in seed exports. (CropLife Brazil)
Anvisa has established guidelines for assessing pesticide exposure to operators, workers, residents and bystanders, aiming to define technical criteria, models, and parameters that ensure risk analyses of registered products reflect the Brazilian reality. The initiative seeks to standardize fundamental principles and provide the necessary information for refined assessments, ensuring greater precision in public health protection and occupational safety in the field. (Guide No. 84, 11/19/2025, Anvisa)
Latin América
Research using samples from eastern Paraguay found multi-fungicide resistance in Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi), with reduced performance reported for active ingredients such as prothioconazole, fluxapyroxad and azoxystrobin. Genetic screening detected resistance-linked mutations in targets associated with sterol demethylation inhibitors, succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors and quinone outside inhibitors, and also showed variability among isolates collected from the same field. (Fito Lab)
Ministry of Agriculture of Baja California has mandated drone companies (RPAS) providing pesticide spray services must register and obtain phytosanitary certification, legally equating them to manned aircraft under Mexican Official Standard NOM-052-FITO-1995. This measure requires a notice of commencement of operations and compliance with Civil Aviation Agency technical parameters, aiming to regulate and standardize aerial agricultural activities in the state to ensure phytosanitary compliance. (Federal Government)
The Argentine Government has reached a historic milestone by approving 38 genetically modified organisms over the past two years, accounting for nearly 28% of all authorizations granted since 1996. Under the coordination of CONABIA and SENASA, the current administration has accelerated registration timelines for 11 plant varieties and various microorganisms for bioethanol and vaccine production, aiming to boost agricultural productivity and regulatory predictability to strengthen the country’s biotechnology sector. (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries)
Researchers from Argentina have demonstrated the use of nitrogen nanofertilizers can reduce applied doses by up to 35% while increasing wheat and corn yields by 10%, thanks to the gradual release of nutrients at the nanoscale. This technology minimizes environmental losses through volatilization and leaching, promoting sustainable intensification that allows farmers to reduce costs and increase resource efficiency across various crops. (National Institute of Agricultural Technology, National University of the Litoral and National Council for Scientific and Technical Research)
Researchers from INTA are developing a biological control system for banana based on the Trichoderma fungus, aiming to reduce the use of fungicides against Yellow Sigatoka and decrease fertilizer needs by up to 50%. Preliminary tests in Argentina demonstrated that applying selected strains promotes plant growth and immunity, offering a sustainable, low-cost and easy-to-manage alternative that adds value to the fruit and improves occupational safety for farmers. (INTA)
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