New Publication: Crop protection products – illegal unless authorised

The article has now been also published in English in Plant Health by Biowetenschappen en Maatschappij by dr. ir. Tonnie Engels (see our TEAM page for more information).

Summary

As the name suggests, crop protection products are agents used to control and prevent pests, diseases and weeds in crops. A crop protection product contains one or more active substances, the compounds responsible for the product’s action against harmful organisms. It also contains adjuvants and additives to ensure stability, safe and efficient application and effectiveness. However, getting a crop protection product to market involves a lot more than simply launching it and selling it. No crop protection products are legal until they are authorised. So how does that work? Crop protection products and their active substances undergo rigorous assessment for their safety for humans, animals and the environment. This is done in two steps...