Saturday, 21 June 2025
UPL Corporation Ltd. (UPL Corp), a subsidiary of the UPL Group — listed on NSE, BSE, and LSE — and The Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science in Agriculture (CERSA) at North Carolina State University, a global leader in advancing agricultural regulatory science, announced the successful gathering of farmers, researchers, and agricultural experts from around the world at Rothamsted Research in the UK for the Global Mancozeb Summit. The event served as a critical platform to explore the role of Mancozeb in sustainable agriculture and crop protection amidst evolving regulatory landscapes.
Farmers, scientists, and agricultural experts from around the world convened at Rothamsted Research in the UK for the Global Mancozeb Summit, an unprecedented gathering organized by the Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science in Agriculture (CERSA) at North Carolina State University, with support from UPL Corporation Ltd. (UPL Corp), a global leader in sustainable agricultural solutions.
The summit highlighted the essential role of mancozeb—a multi-site fungicide—in integrated disease management systems, particularly as the European Union’s General Court prepares to review its regulatory status on July 1.
“Mancozeb is a foundational technology for disease protection in crops,” said Mike Frank, CEO of UPL Corp, during his opening remarks. “It’s indispensable for controlling fungal diseases in crops like bananas, soybeans, potatoes, fruits, and vegetables. Its multi-site action helps prevent resistance, ensuring more consistent yields. These global discussions are essential for securing the future of farming and planetary health.”
Since mancozeb’s revocation by the EU in 2020 and the UK in 2024, European farmers have struggled with increased fungal outbreaks and resistance to alternative single-site fungicides. The result has been higher production costs and lower yields, particularly for crops such as potatoes, apples, and other fruits and vegetables.
Catarina Pereira of Porbatata, the Portuguese Potato Association, explained that without mancozeb, farmers are forced to turn to more expensive, less efficient alternatives that often require larger quantities. “We want to reduce pesticide use overall, and a multi-site tool like mancozeb helps us do that,” she said.
The summit also heard alarming reports from growers who suffered major losses due to the absence of mancozeb. In 2022 and 2023, outbreaks of resistant potato blight devastated farms across the Netherlands, Northern Germany, and Denmark. “Some growers lost entire harvests in 2024,” said Jean-Paul Deneuville of FEDEPOM. “Without mancozeb, fungicide use doubled or tripled, driving up costs and threatening sustainability.”
Fruit growers echoed similar concerns. Xavier Le Clanche of the Association Nationale Pommes Poires explained that mancozeb was one of only three tools available for managing apple scab. Its removal has left growers vulnerable to rust and other diseases, forcing some to consider abandoning traditional orchards in historic growing regions.
The summit emphasized the need for regulatory decisions grounded in sound science. David Cooke of the James Hutton Institute stated, “The removal of mancozeb has contributed to the rise of resistant fungal strains. Reintroducing it can help safeguard other fungicides and extend their efficacy.”
French farmer Oriane Vialle-Guerin added that limiting crop protection options accelerates resistance by increasing reliance on fewer chemicals. “The fewer tools you have, the more pressure you place on them,” she noted.
Looking ahead, summit participants expressed hope that the EU Court’s upcoming hearing would reconsider mancozeb’s ban in light of both scientific data and real-world farming challenges. Portuguese representatives emphasized that reinstating mancozeb would reduce input costs, improve sustainability, and lower the volume of pesticides needed.
Adrian Percy, Executive Director of the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative, praised the summit for advancing the conversation. “This is not just about one product,” he said. “It’s about ensuring global food security and providing farmers with the tools they need to farm sustainably and effectively.”
As the EU prepares to review mancozeb’s future, the summit has sent a clear message: science-based, practical solutions must guide agricultural policy—especially in an era of rising food demands and increasing climate stress.
