EU: Is Mancozeb Worth Its Weight in Gold? Farmers Around the World Are Calling for Its Return
Was the withdrawal of mancozeb from the European Union too hasty? This is the opinion of many farmers and experts who met in the UK in June to loudly state one thing: without this agent, the fight against fungal diseases is much more difficult.
In mid-June 2025, Rothamsted Research in the UK hosted the Global Summit on the Importance of Mancozeb , a gathering of farmers, scientists, and experts from around the world. The focus was on the well-known and widely used fungicide mancozeb , which has been withdrawn from the EU market for several years.
What is mancozeb and why does its absence hurt?
Mancozeb is a multi-target fungicide , meaning it attacks pathogens at multiple sites simultaneously. This is precisely what makes it so effective— it helps fight disease while simultaneously inhibiting the development of immunity . For years, it has been indispensable in potato, vegetable, and fruit crops, as well as cereal and soybean crops.
After its withdrawal in the EU in 2020 and in the UK in 2024, farmers were forced to use more expensive and less versatile substitutes , which also lead to the development of resistance in pathogens more quickly. The results? Higher costs and lower yields .
"We want to use fewer plant protection products, not more," says Catarina Pereira of the Portuguese potato producers’ association Porbatata. "Mancozeb helped us reduce the number of treatments and maintain plant immunity."
Potato blight won’t let up
Potato producers have been particularly hard hit by the shortage of mancozeb. In the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark, potato blight caused massive losses , with some farms losing their entire crops .
"Without mancozeb, farmers have to use two to three times more treatments with other products," emphasizes Jean-Paul Deneuville of the French potato producers’ association FEDEPOM. "This is not only an economic disaster, but also an environmental one."
Fruit growers are also raising the alarm
Fruit growers are grappling with similar problems. "Mancozeb was one of the three basic remedies for combating apple scab," recalls Xavier Le Clanche of the French apple and pear association ANPP. "Without it, we have less room to maneuver, and in the case of diseases like rust, we have none at all."
Hope in the decision of the Court of Justice of the European Union
During the summit, experts unanimously urged that regulations should be based on science and practical experience, not just bureaucratic analyses . Scientists from the James Hutton Institute point out that the lack of mancozeb has contributed to the accelerated development of resistant fungal strains, which threatens the effectiveness of other available remedies.
– The fewer tools available, the greater the risk that the remaining ones will quickly stop working – says Oriane Vialle-Guerin, a representative of French manufacturers.
On July 1, the Court of Justice of the European Union is scheduled to hear a possible review of the decision banning the use of mancozeb . For many farms—especially those specializing in potatoes, orchards, and vegetables—this decision could be crucial for their future.
It’s not just chemistry - it’s food safety
As Adrian Percy of North Carolina State University emphasized, this isn’t just about producer convenience:"It’s a matter of ensuring food security for millions of people in Europe and around the world. Farmers need tools to effectively protect their crops and care for the environment."
Will mancozeb return to favor in the EU? We’ll know the answer soon. One thing is certain: the voices of farmers and scientists on this issue are louder than ever.
Fuente: agroprofil.pl
