The bio-insecticide FLiPPER (fatty acids C7-C20) marketed by Bayer has been granted four new extensions of authorisation for minor use (EAMU) for control of a broad range of insect pests in an assortment of outdoor and protected fruits, herbs and field vegetables ahead of the 2020 season. The product was granted EAMUs for the control of aphids, spider mites, and whitefly in aubergine, pepper and chilli (permanent protection with full enclosure), and ornamentals (permenant protection with full enclosure) in 2017 and 2018 respectively.
This is the first time in recent years a product has obtained an EAMU for more than one crop group from a single submission, a development Bolette Palle-Neve of AHDB Horticulture says is positive for future applications for low-risk substances.
“The previous preference of CRD was to receive separate applications for each crop group which increased the time and costs involved, but because FLiPPER is considered to be a low-risk product we were encouraged to submit an application for all the intended crop uses. That we have succeeded is a positive sign that we will be successful with applications for other low-risk products,” says Ms Palle-Neve.
The EAMUs mean FLiPPER can be applied between 1 March and 30 September in field vegetables and 1 March and 30 August in leafy vegetables, fresh herbs, berries, currants, nuts, pome and stone fruit, and wine grapes. This will likely be welcomed by growers who have seen previous means of control, such as pirimicarb for the control of aphids in certain vegetable crops, for example, withdrawn in recent years.
“As well as helping to fill the gap created by recent withdrawals, it will go some way to ensuring crops remain suitably protected once pymetrozine is withdrawn in January next year,” adds Ms Palle-Neve.
FLiPPER, which is already approved by both the Soil Association and Organic Farmers & Growers for use in the same crops covered by the latest EAMUs, will provide conventional growers with a useful alternative to pyrethrins from May 2020 when their use will be restricted.
Claire Matthewman, Bayer campaign manager for horticulture, says the EAMUs are an essential means towards ensuring growers have access to plant protection products.
“AHDB Horticulture is to be applauded for these EAMUs and we will continue to work with it through the SCEPTREplus project on further product applications in our efforts to support horticulture growers.”
The EAMUs are specific to the designated crop type and as such carry different application rates and maximum number of treatments. Under all EAMUs, application intervals are restricted to seven days between applications and 28-days between blocks of three applications. Buffer zones, where applicable, are specific to the crop being treated.
EAMU | Crop types affected | Pests listed | Max. app. Rate (L/ha)* | Max. no. of apps | Water volume (L/ha) | Buffer zone | Application period | |
3416/2019 | Leafy vegetables and fresh herbs | Aphids, Western flower thrip, thrips, Spider mite | Outdoor: | 5 | 9 | 300 – 500 | n/a | 1 March – 30 August |
Protected: | 10 | 8 | 400 – 1000 | |||||
3417/2019 | Field vegetables | Thrips, aphids, cabbage aphid | Outdoor: | 5 | 9 | 300 -500 | n/a | 1 March – 30 September |
Protected: | 10 | 8 | 400-1000 | |||||
3418/2019 | Berries and currants | Aphids, two-spotted spider mite, western flower thrip, leaf hoppers, strawberry blossom weevil, thrips, white fly | Outdoor and protected: | 10 | 8 | 400 -1000 | 10 metres from the bank of a static or flowing waterbody or 1 metre from a dry ditch (broadcast air-assisted sprayer) | 1 March – 30 August |
3419/2019 | Nuts, pome fruit, stone fruit, wine grapes (outdoors and temporary protection) | Aphids, two spotted spider mite and blossom weevil | Outdoor and protected: |
10 |
8 |
400 – 1000 | 20 metres from the bank of a static or flowing waterbody or 5 metres from a dry ditch | 1 March – 30 August |
*Bayer’s suggested application rate for FLiPPER is 1.0 L of product per 100 L of water, equivalent to an inclusion rate of 1%. |