Following the announcement from The Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) regarding the final sales date for all desmedipham-containing products, growers are being urged by Bayer to stock up before New Year for weed control in 2020. Charlotte Cunningham reports.
Desmedipham has been relied on to provide effective control of a range of weeds in beet crops since it was first introduced in combination with phenmedipham in Bayer’s Betanal products in 1968. Over time other actives, such as ethofumesate and lenacil, have been combined to expand and improve weed control, but desmedipham and phenmedipham have served as the core actives for efforts to deliver effective weed control.
The announcement means sugar beet growers intending to use Bayer’s current range of Betanal herbicides in 2020 have until the end of the year to order product as sales will no longer be permitted after 1 Jan 2020. Growers then have until 1 July 2020, which will cover the full season of use, to use up or dispose of any remaining stocks.
The European Commission’s decision means 2020 will be the last season for, among others, Betanal maxxPro (desmedipham + phenmedipham + ethofumesate + lenacil), Betanal Elite (desmedipham + ethofumesate + phenmedipham) and Betanal Turbo (desmedipham + phenmedipham).
A blow to growers
“Betanal maxxPro has been widely used across Europe for many years. It’s use has provided robust weed control, flexibility of use and excellent crop safety,” says Edward Hagues, Bayer campaign manager for root crops.
“We know the withdrawal will be a blow to many growers who have relied on these Betanal products for their weed control in sugar beet. That’s why we have worked closely with our supply chain to help growers have the opportunity to use Betanal maxxPro in 2020.”
“Those wanting to maintain an effective and flexible approach to weed control in 2020 should ensure they have sufficient Betanal maxxPro in stock to meet their needs before the New Year as desmedipham-containing products cannot be sold after this time.”
