Belgium: Exemptions for Fungicide Use Against Phytophthora Infestans in Potatoes
Since the planting and emergence phase, Phytophthora infestans has exerted a significant and ongoing impact on Belgium’s potato growing season. This is brought on by the regular, frequently heavy rainfall in June, July, and August and the normally mild temperatures (with few or no hot days).
Because of these very conducive conditions for the pest, infections spread methodically (fungal spores surfaced as soon as they were discharged), leaving growers with no time to recover from the pandemic.
Therefore, the specialized agricultural warning services (Carah in Wallonië – Viaverda in Vlaanderen) have suggested regularly renewing the fungicide protection for the foliage.
“The range of fungicides approved in Belgium has been greatly reduced in recent years, with the loss of mancozeb in particular, the last fungicide with multi-site action. In addition, the appearance of Phytophthora strains with resistance to several families of fungicides has made a radical change in the control strategy necessary. Based on the recommendations of the FRAC (Fungicide Resistance Action Committee) and the scientific community, it is now necessary to combine two active substances from different FRAC groups per treatment and to alternate the substances between treatments,” the Belpotato experts recently announced.
Growers are faced with technological dead ends and the inability to continue preserving their crops due to these new regulations, which also limit the amount of fungicides that are approved and the maximum number of treatments that are permitted per product.
In particular, this year’s delayed and spaced planting means that spraying will need to go on until at least the end of September.
Based on all these elements, Belpotato.be has applied for an emergency derogation to increase the permitted number of applications for the products listed below by two units. The Erkenningscomité voor Bestrijdingsmiddelen voor Landbouwkundig Gebruik van de FOD Volksgezondheid (Approval Committee for Pesticides for Agricultural Use of the FPS Public Health) has issued a positive opinion.
The following exemptions entered into force for 120 days on 27 August 2024: – for products based on propamocarb and flupicolid (Boreso Flex, Infinito, Potatogold 687 5 SC and VSM Finito): two applications of 1.2 liters/ha may follow the previously authorized applications; – for products based on ametoctradine (Enervin SC and Zampro): two applications may follow the previously authorized applications.
