Argentina: National Agrifood Health Service approves the use of four fungicides
The Association of Cranberry Producers of the Mesopotamia Argentina (APAMA) reported today that, after more than a year of intense efforts, the National Service of Agri-Food Health (SENASA), authorized the use of several types of fungicides in the production of blueberries.
Among the products now enabled, there are two that are the only ones allowed by China to receive the import of this fruit: Captan and Fehexamid. In addition to having enabled Chlorothalonil and Iprodione.
For the president of APAMA, Alejandro Pannunzio, it is "the greatest achievement of the sector in years, because it not only extends the tools for better management of crop health, but also will result in savings in production costs for the sector that will be around one and a half million dollars, "he explained.
The SENASA rating is already valid and it is valid until the 31 of March of 2019, when it must be renewed. "We are completing the studies for the final rating," he explained.
According to the producers, the savings in the cost of production is due to the fact that now the sector can apply other fungicides that have a much lower cost. In this regard, Pannunzio said that "the important thing in good agricultural management is the greater rotation of products, which reduce the possibility of generating resistances and achieve better results with lower doses. Before we could apply less products that paradoxically were more expensive, but now with this new regulation we can do it ".
The SENASA measure has a positive impact of great magnitude for the region because it lowers the cost of production and increases the health of the plants, at the same time as it improves the regional competitiveness and the production of blueberries throughout the country. "We celebrate having achieved progress in this articulated work between APAMA and the national agency," concluded the producer.
Finally, about the current harvest that begins, Pannunzio said that "we are with high expectations of generating more export value, more jobs. We hope to continue to achieve the conditions so that local production can expand in the coming years. "