#London #United Kingdom #crop protection #Mancozeb #UPL Corporation

Global Mancozeb Summit Emphasizes Importance of Fungicide in Agriculture

In June 2025, a landmark event took place at Rothamsted Research in the UK. The Global Mancozeb Summit, organized by UPL Corporation Ltd. along with the Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science in Agriculture (CERSA) at North Carolina State University, gathered farmers, researchers, and agriculture experts worldwide to address the significant role of mancozeb, a multi-site fungicide, in crop protection. This meeting coincided with the European Union's upcoming court hearing on the renewal of mancozeb's authorization, scheduled for July 1.

During the summit, Mike Frank, CEO of UPL Corp, set the tone by asserting the necessity of mancozeb in comprehensive disease management strategies. He pointed out its importance in protecting crops such as bananas, soybeans, potatoes, and various fruits and vegetables. Mancozeb serves as a critical component in helping farmers avoid resistance buildup in fungal diseases, thereby ensuring consistent agricultural yields.

The Importance of Mancozeb in Modern Agriculture

Since the withdrawal of mancozeb in the EU in 2020 and the UK in 2024, growers have faced escalating challenges in managing fungal diseases effectively. Farmers reported increased difficulty controlling diseases and reliance on more expensive single-site fungicides, which only exacerbate resistance problems. Catarina Pereira from the Portuguese Potato Association, Porbatata, stated, "Without mancozeb, farmers are forced to use alternative products that are more expensive and require higher application volumes."

The absence of mancozeb has had dire consequences for farmers. The 2022 and 2023 seasons saw devastating outbreaks of potato blight in areas like the Netherlands and Northern Germany, as resistant strains proliferated without the protective benefits provided by mancozeb. Jean-Paul Deneuville, a French farmer and FEDEPOM representative, explained, "Some growers lost entire crops to potato blight in 2024. The removal of mancozeb forced farmers to use 2–3 times more fungicides, significantly raising costs."

Fruit growers echoed similar concerns. Xavier Le Clanche of the Association Nationale Pommes Poires noted, "Mancozeb was critical for managing apple scab; its loss has diminished our ability to tackle scab and has left us unprotected against rust diseases. As a result, growers must reconsider replanting or shift their production entirely from historical areas."

Advocating for Science-Driven Decisions

Throughout the summit, participants expressed their unified stance on the need for revisiting mancozeb's regulatory status based on scientific evidence. David Cooke from the James Hutton Institute emphasized that its absence contributed to the rise of resistant strains in the absence of effective multi-site fungicides. Delegates shared hopes that the upcoming EU court hearing would reevaluate the decision made in 2020, highlighting that limiting approved crop protection tools increases pressure on existing ones, leading to more resistance-related challenges.

Looking Towards the Future

As the summit concluded, the consensus among attendees was clear: the future of food security and agricultural sustainability in Europe hinges on the potential reinstatement of mancozeb. Experts pointed out that allowing the use of this fungicide would bolster both economic viability and sustainability within farming practices. Adrian Percy, Executive Director of the NC Plant Sciences Initiative, expressed optimism about the summit fostering essential discussions regarding science, practical applications, and future steps concerning mancozeb.

With the court hearing looming on the horizon, the Global Mancozeb Summit has revitalized the dialogue around regulatory decisions and their profound impact on the agricultural landscape, emphasizing the ongoing necessity for sound, science-backed policies in agriculture. Farmers globally hope for a ruling that will prioritize not only crop protection but also the sustainability and affordability of food, which is vital for generations to come.