News Crop protection
Belchim stops selling Teppeki in potatoes
Crop protection products producer Belchim stops selling the louse killer Teppeki for potato cultivation. That decision follows after the residue limit in potatoes was exceeded in several cases.
The insecticide Teppeki (active ingredient flonicamid) is widely used in seed and consumption potatoes. In some cases too high residues are now found and the MRL of 50% has been exceeded. That is why Belchim will stop the sale until further notice, Maud Buggenhout of the Belgian company confirms. This decision applies throughout Europe.
Other crops allowed
Teppeki also has an authorization for sugar and fodder beets, winter wheat and rapeseed, among other things. In this case, the drug remains available. Because oversized seed potatoes can also be sold for consumption, starting material may not be treated either. Trading houses decide on this themselves.
The Association for the Potato Processing Industry (VAVI) has announced that it no longer supports the use of the substance. The processors may refuse the batches if they have been treated with the agent.
New research
Belchim is now going to re-examine the residue limits to see what caused the exceedance of last season. It also wants to get the MRL up. However, this takes more time. The MRL of 50% would be too extreme for this drug.
Anyone who currently still has the product in stock may use it under their own responsibility. The consultancy companies are familiar with exceeding the MRL and advise using alternative products based on thiacloprid (Calypso) and acetamiprid (Gazelle), although it is sometimes still advisable to use Teppeki early in the season. Due to the high lice pressure the loss of an important lice killer is an additional nuisance for the sector.
Niels van der Boom
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