MAPA approved 55 registrations of formulated pesticides
Brazil
Anvisa approves toxicological evaluation for registration of new microbiological products from Bionat based on Beauveria bassiana isolate ESALQ 1432, Bacillus subtilis isolate ESALQ- EpD2-5 + Bacillus velezensis isolate ESALQ-RZ1MS9 and Beauveria bassiana isolate CG 1420. The last two active ingredients are not yet registered in the country. (Anvisa)
Ibama published a statement to suspend, as a precautionary measure, the application of fipronil-based pesticides through foliar spraying across the entire area. The measure aims to protect pollinating insects until the pesticide reanalysis procedure is completed by Ibama, a process that has been ongoing since September 2022. The assessments already carried out indicate the potential existence of an unacceptable environmental risk to bees. Registration holders of pesticides that contain fipronil as an active ingredient have a period of 90 days, from the publication of the statement, to publish a supplementary leaflet, label or other effective means, with the warning phrase: “This product is toxic to bees. Aerial application is not permitted. Foliar spraying not directed to the soil or plants, i.e. applications over the entire area, is not permitted. Do not apply this product during the flowering period, nor immediately before flowering or when bees visit the crop. Failure to comply with these determinations constitutes an environmental crime, subject to applicable penalties and without prejudice to other responsibilities.” (Ibama Communications Office)
André Savino is the new president of Syngenta’s Crop Protection business in Brazil. (Syngenta)
Biobest announced the completion of the acquisition of Biotrop, contributing to the company’s plan to be among the top10 global agritechs by 2034. According to the contract signed in September, the company acquired around 85% of the shares based on the company’s value of US$ 571.3 million, and the remaining 15% will be acquired after a three-year transition period. Between the signing and completion of the acquisition, Biobest had a capital increase of US$ 387.6 million to finance the transaction, with the participation of its former shareholders, such as Sofina, and new shareholders, such as Tikehau Capital, M&G Investments , Unigrains and Sofiprotéol and Floridienne. (Biobest)
Syngenta Crop Protection launched an acaricida insecticide for corn and soybean, based on the active ingredient isocicloseram, from the chemical group of isoxazolines. (Syngenta)
Federal deputy Pedro Lupion, president of the Parliamentary Agricultural Front, announced he will seek to overturn the vetoes in Bill 14785, which expedites pesticide registration in Brazil. The law was sanctioned last week, with 14 vetoes by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “An issue that was discussed for more than 20 years in the National Congress, which had almost unanimous approval in the Senate and which President Lula, in a demonstration of total disrespect for Parliament and a predilection for playing with his fans rather than actually fulfilling his obligation, vetoes the main sections”, said the deputy. (Pedro Lupion; FPA)
The intensity of corn leafhopper infestation has reached alarming levels, with an increase of 177% in the last two years, according to data from the National Union of the Plant Defense Products Industry. The states of Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná are already feeling the impacts of the infestation. According to Rafael Liu, product manager at Rizobacter, it is important to adopt multiple practices to reduce the problem, such as avoiding planting close to areas with a history of stunting, eliminating crop residues, using hybrids with greater genetic tolerance and using adjuvants. (Sindveg; Rizobacter)
According to the report from the 11th Edition of the National Supply Company’s Perspectives for Agriculture, the increase in the presence of nematodes in rice is worrying. An example is the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne graminicola) which can reduce crop yield by up to 80%. FMC’s rice cultivation manager, Luís Grandeza, said that the presence of the pest in planting areas is already a reality and there is little effective control. (Conab; FMC)
Rodrigo Vasconcellos Agnesini is Vittia’s new commercial director. (Vittia)
The School of Multidimensional Security of the USP Institute of International Relations, and CropLife Brasil, will promote the Illegal Agricultural Inputs Investigation Course, with institutional support of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. The 30-hour course will be online, free and taught from February 5th to April 9th, 2024. The new course is part of the “Training Program to Combat Illegal Agricultural Input Markets”. The market for smuggled, counterfeit or adulterated inputs accounts for 25% of the sector’s revenue, placing it among the top 10 for organized crime. (CropLife Brazil)
Maurício Pagotto is Lavoro’s new Chief Transformation Officer, reporting directly to the CEO, Ruy Cunha. (Lavoro)
MAPA approved 55 registrations of formulated pesticides, 19 of which are of low impact, and two equivalent technical products. (MAPA, Acts no. 60 and no. 61 of 12/28/2023, published on 12/29/2023).
Government of the State of Espírito Santo invests in research to quantify and reduce glyphosate in coffee farming. The technological development project of the Research, Innovation and Development Center is developed at the Environmental Characterization Laboratory (LACAR). According to Dr. Jairo de Oliveira, leader of the research, the traditional method for detecting glyphosate is highly accurate, but presents a relatively high cost, depends on large equipment and highly qualified personnel, with an average response time of 3 to 5 days . The method developed by LACAR is based on the SERS (Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering) technique and fiber optic-based immunosensors, offering potential for local monitoring directly in the farm and at low cost. (SECTI; LACAR)
Petrobras signed a tolling contract with Unigel to produce fertilizers in the States of Sergipe and Bahia. The agreement is the result of the partnership between Petrobras and Unigel announced in June, when the state-owned company began discussions with Unigel to analyze joint businesses involving the development of opportunities in the areas of fertilizers, green hydrogen and low carbon projects. (Petrobras)
Novozymes and Chr. Hansen, that are finalizing the merger process, defined the future name as Novonesis. Together, the companies have 23 factories and around 40 application and R&D centers. “Novonesis reflects where we come from, what we can achieve, and what we will become together. We are committed to harnessing the transformative potential of biology. Building on our legacy of developing innovative biological solutions, we are poised to unlock unprecedented opportunities,” highlighted Ester Baiget, CEO of Novozymes. (Novozymes; Chr. Hansen)
Latin America
The Argentine Association of Direct Seeding Farmers releases recommendations taking into account that more and more municipalities are restricting the use of chemical inputs, such as herbicides to control weeds. “Peri-urban areas constitute a challenge in the development of productive activities”, highlights the association. The recommendations, then, are some practices that can help farmers in these areas to deal with weeds without resorting to pesticides and soil preparation, such as service crops, which compete with weeds for resources, in addition to techniques such as mechanical drying and use of biodiversity borders.(Aapresid)
ADAMA celebrated its 10 years in Chile in 2023, with the opening of new offices in the commune of Las Condes, Santiago. In the country, the company has an industrial plant, as well as its own biostimulants research and development center. Benjamín Robles, General Manager of ADAMA Chile, highlighted: “Our commitment to the land and its farmers leads us to evolve. […]. Always focusing on the team and employees, customers and distributors, to face internal and market challenges.” (Adama Chile)
Biofertilizer created by the National University of Colombia (UNAL) obtained a patent after three years. The research that resulted in the creation of the product was led by the researchers Juan Carlos Higuita Vásquez and Sebastián Pineda Pineda in partnership with the sugar company Ingenio Mayagüez. The product was created from vinasse with the addition of the bacteria Gluconacetobacter diazotropicus, which has the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in the form of ammonia. Tests were carried out on tomato crops and, in addition to not being attacked by whiteflies, a pest that reduces production, the plants that received the biofertilizer produced in greater quantities and had an increase of around 15% in the size of the fruits. (UNAL)
After four years of delay due to the pandemic, the Association of Hass Avocado Farmers and Exporters of Peru (ProHass) was granted the registration of 17 of the 21 pesticides it requested from the National Agrarian Health Service (Senasa). Products are acaricides, fungicides, insecticides and growth regulators that are constantly needed in Hass avocado cultivation. By mid-January 2024, the four pending registrations are expected to be obtained, and ProHass hopes to put the 21 products on sale in the call for proposals it plans to hold in February 2024. (ProHass; Senasa)
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