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<p>Defra is aware of the concerns of GB potato growers about the Health and Safety
Executives’ (HSE) proposed decision to withdraw approval of mancozeb. GB pesticides
legislation requires that decisions on active substances are solely based on careful
scientific assessment of risks, to provide a high level of protection for people and
the environment.</p><p> </p><p>HSE has reviewed the approval of mancozeb. In light
of new scientific and technical information received, HSE has concluded that the active
substance no longer satisfies the approval criteria. The review concluded that mancozeb
has endocrine disrupting properties for humans and non-target organisms. In addition,
non-dietary exposure exceeded the reference levels. HSE has therefore proposed to
withdraw approval of mancozeb in GB. The withdrawal of products containing mancozeb
will not be immediate; we expect HSE to set an 18-month grace period (six months for
sale and supply, and 12 months after that for storage, disposal and use) to allow
existing stocks in the supply chain to be used up.</p><p> </p><p>Under certain circumstances,
set out in Article 53 of Assimilated Regulation 1107/2009, it is possible to grant
emergency authorisation for the placing on the market of a pesticide containing an
active substance that is not approved. There must be special circumstances where limited
and controlled use is necessary because of a danger to crops, other plants or the
environment, including human or animal health, that cannot be contained by any other
reasonable means.</p><p> </p><p>We are not aware of any HSE proposal to withdraw any
other multi-site fungicide.</p>
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