Growers are set to lose a key tool used to help control late blight in potato crops. The EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF) has voted not to renew approval for the active substance mancozeb.

Mancozeb was a widely used multi-site fungicide to control late blight and a number of other diseases in potatoes. The active played an important role in blight resistant-management programmes.

The move further adds to the ever more challenging landscape for potato growers who are now dealing with the loss of the desiccant active diquat and the sprout suppressant active CIPC.

Use up

Reports suggest that EU member states now have six months to stop the sale and supply of products containing the active. Growers then have a further use-up period of six months.

This means that during the 2021 season, products containing mancozeb can be used. The final dates are still to be published however.

The active was contained in many well-known products including Ridomil Gold, Valbon, Moximate and Dithane.

Mancozeb had been coming under increasing scrutiny from the EU Commission and from member states.