#UK #Mancozeb #UPL Corporation #CERSA #Rothamsted

Global Mancozeb Summit Addresses Crop Protection Challenges

On June 16, 2025, notable stakeholders gathered at Rothamsted Research in the UK, uniting under the banner of the Global Mancozeb Summit. Organized by the Center of Excellence in Regulatory Sciences in Agriculture (CERSA) and supported by UPL Corporation Ltd. (UPL Corp), this unprecedented summit underscored the vital importance of Mancozeb, a multi-site fungicide, in integrated disease management strategies. This gathering comes as the General Court of the European Union is set to reconsider Mancozeb's case for renewal on July 1.

During his opening remarks, Mike Frank, CEO of UPL Corp, emphasized, "Mancozeb serves as a fundamental technology for plant disease protection. It is particularly crucial for farmers managing fungal diseases in crops such as bananas, soybeans, potatoes, as well as fruits and vegetables. Reliable multi-site protection helps prevent resistance and ensures consistent yields. These discussions are vital for the future of agriculture and the wellbeing of our planet."

Mancozeb’s Essential Role in Disease Management

The revocation of Mancozeb’s use in the EU in 2020, followed by its ban in the UK in 2024, has led to daunting challenges for farmers across Europe. Many have found it increasingly difficult to control fungal diseases and cope with the resistance to single-site fungicides. The absence of Mancozeb has particularly impacted potato, fruit, and vegetable producers who traditionally depended on this cost-effective tool for its multi-site action. Catarina Pereira from the Portuguese Potato Association expressed the growing concern: "We want to use fewer pesticides, and a multi-site tool like Mancozeb helps us achieve that. Without it, we have to resort to more expensive, higher-volume alternatives."

Experts have observed severe consequences stemming from the absence of Mancozeb, especially in managing serious diseases like potato blight. Resistant strains of carboxamide and oxathiapiprolina fungicides wreaked havoc in regions like the Netherlands, Northern Germany, and Denmark during the years 2022 and 2023. Jean-Paul Deneuville, a French farmer and representative of the potato producers' federation FEDEPOM, disclosed, "Some farmers in 2024 lost entire crops to potato blight. Without Mancozeb, they have to use fungicides two to three times more often, significantly increasing costs."

The fruit growers, too, have felt the repercussions. Xavier Le Clanche from the National Association of Apples and Pears remarked, "Mancozeb was one of just three tools available for managing apple scab. Its loss has drastically reduced our ability to combat the disease and left us with no solutions against rust disease. Now fruit growers face tough decisions on replanting or completely relocating production from historical growing areas."

A Call for Science-Based Decision Making

The summit gathered global stakeholder perspectives, highlighting the scientific consensus on the safety and effectiveness of Mancozeb. David Cooke from the James Hutton Institute noted, "The absence of Mancozeb in fungicide programs has contributed to the spread of resistant strains. Reintroducing this tool can protect other products and aid in managing resistance."

Delegates at the summit are hopeful that the upcoming EU court hearing will provide a chance to reassess the decision made in 2020. Oriane Vialle-Guerin, a representative for French potato producers, stated, "The more we limit the number of approved plant protection solutions, the more pressure is placed on those remaining, accelerating resistance problems."

The path forward

Farmers and industry experts present at the summit expressed optimism for a decision that prioritizes food security and affordability across Europe. Portuguese representatives highlighted the favorable impact restoring Mancozeb would have—not only on crop protection but also on cost management, sustainability, and the reduction of pesticide applications overall.

Adrian Percy, Executive Director of the North Carolina State University Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI), expressed optimism about the summit's role in fostering significant advancements. **"This dialogue regarding the science, practical applications, and the way forward for Mancozeb is crucial. Providing farmers with access to the tools they need isn’t just agricultural; it’s vital for ensuring food production and sustainability for future generations."

With the EU court hearing just weeks away, the Global Mancozeb Summit has reinforced the necessity of grounding regulatory decisions in robust scientific evidence and real-world challenges faced by farmers.