New EU restrictions on plant protection products: Regulation 2026/1120 bans 12 high-risk co-formulants. A comprehensive analysis of the prohibited substances, last-minute draft changes, and the strict compliance timelines for manufacturers.
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As sulfur undergoes its EU approval renewal, the oldest crop protection tool faces a complex regulatory pathway. While EFSA confirms its safety for human health, recent SCoPAFF debates highlight ecotoxicological concerns regarding non-target arthropods and soil organisms. Here is an analysis of the ongoing risk assessment refinement and its implications for European agriculture.
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In the May 2026 SCoPAFF meeting technical caution led to a mix of approvals and strategic deferrals. Highlights include the removal of greenhouse-only restrictions for Metalaxyl-M and the formal deletion of three expired substances. Conversely, Capsicum oleoresin faced non-approval, and a new fermentation process for Urtica spp. was postponed. The regulatory landscape remains in flux as renewals for pelargonic acid and mecoprop-P, alongside essential data requirement updates, were deferred. While a first group of 19 approval extensions was confirmed, a second block awaits clarification on pending non-renewal proposals.
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Technical analysis of the SCoPAFF (Residues Section) agenda for May 18-19, 2026. This update focuses on the upcoming votes regarding MRL modifications for over 20 active substances, including Deltamethrin, Azoxystrobin, and Cypermethrin. An essential briefing for regulatory managers to assess variations in pre-harvest intervals and import tolerances for primary food commodities.
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The Copper Case: when science and policy find a solution to the “Unsolvable”. The new Regulation (EU) 2026/840 redefines the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for copper compounds, concluding one of the most complex and fiercely debated European regulatory processes in recent years. After EFSA certified the absence of health risks for consumers, the institutions opted for a pragmatic approach to protect the real needs of agriculture (primarily viticulture and the organic sector). Operational limits have been confirmed or even raised, whilst the most drastic cuts have been frozen until 2028. Read our in-depth analysis to discover how Europe averted a ban on the use of copper in our fields.
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