New strategy for authorisation of plant protection products for garlic cultivation in France, Italy and Spain

Spain

Friday 15 March 2024

the areas under garlic cultivation in France and Italy will remain stable, with around 4,400 hectares in France and 3,400 hectares in Italy (photo: ajoespañol.net).

At a recent meeting in Rovigo, Italy, the garlic contact group, composed of sectoral leaders from France, Italy, Spain, and their governments, has agreed on a proposal from the National Association of Garlic Producers and Marketers (ANPCA) to implement plant protection product authorisations at zonal level instead of per member state.

This measure seeks to broaden the availability of plant protection products, thus addressing the challenge of reduced availability of these products for garlic cultivation.

This proposal stems from a detailed analysis which revealed serious limitations in the availability and approval of new plant protection products essential for garlic cultivation. According to the proposed plan, an authorisation granted in one country in the southern zone, such as Spain, would imply an automatic approval for the rest of the countries in the same zone. Currently, regulation 1107/2009 divides Europe into three phytosanitary zones for these authorisations, with zone C grouping together southern countries such as Spain, France, Greece and Italy.

Both France and Italy have welcomed this initiative, which will be presented for approval in the Joint Committee, with the aim of being adopted by the corresponding national administrations.

During the meeting, projections for the coming season were also discussed, highlighting a notable reduction in the garlic cultivation area in Spain, which could decrease by between 15 and 20%, from 24,876 hectares in 2023 to approximately 20,926 hectares. Castilla La Mancha, the main garlic-producing region in Spain, will see its surface area reduced by 14%, followed by Andalusia and Castilla y León, with decreases of 23% and 23.5%, respectively. On the other hand, the areas dedicated to garlic cultivation in France and Italy will remain stable, with around 4,400 hectares in France and 3,400 hectares in Italy.

fuente: fepex.es