Further attempt to be made to reverse European Commission trifluralin withdrawal decision

Further data will be submitted to EU regulators in an attempt to over turn the EU Commission’s decision not to include trifluralin in its Annex I list of approved products, Dow AgroSciences has announced.

The decision not to include trifluralin on the list was taken because of concerns over its toxicity to fish and its potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms. The fact it is highly persistent in soil and not readily biodegradable were also concerns, according to the Commission.

But Dow is confident it can submit data that addresses these concerns, although a timetable for its withdrawal has been set up with the last sales by manufacturer and agchem distributors having to made by 20 March 2008. Farmers will have until 20 March 2009 to use their supplies.