EU phase-out set for bromuconazole and butralin

The European Commission has instructed EU member states to withdraw approvals for the fungicide, bromuconazole, by May 3rd 2009, and the herbicide, butralin, by April 20th 2009. They may allow up to one year from these dates for the sale and use of existing stocks. Both ais were in the third round of the EU review of existing ais, but failed to gain re-registration ( Agrow No 551, p 11 and No 545, p 10). For bromuconazole, there were insufficient data to assess the potential contamination of water sources and concerns over the high risk to aquatic organisms. For butralin, there were concerns over its harmful effects on human health.