Natural insecticide Spinosad given EU recommendation

UK - August 02, 2006

Spinosad, a natural insecticide, has been granted Annex 1 inclusion by a unanimous vote of the European Union Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH).   

Spinosad, the active ingredient in Tracer launched in the UK in 2005, provides effective control of difficult pests in high-value crops like vegetables and top fruit.  The active ingredient is naturally derived and based on the metabolites produced by the fermentation of soil-borne actinomycete bacteria.  As a natural product, Tracer’s green credentials make it highly attractive to growers, retailers and the general public.   

The SCFCAH’s approval allows spinosad to be considered for full registration by regulatory authorities of individual EU member states, and will facilitate the registration of new uses via mutual recognition. 

“This is great news for our customers and for consumers,” said Dow AgroSciences’ James Knight, marketing manager responsible for Tracer in the UK.  “Tracer offers insect management solutions that combine the broad-spectrum insect control of many synthetic products with the low toxicity and environmental profile of most biological insecticides. This makes Tracer an excellent fit for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) programs.” 

Spinosad products have been approved for use in organic agriculture by governmental and non-governmental certification organisations around the world.  Interest has been strong within the organic agriculture community because these products deliver a new standard of highly effective insect control.