Cyprus Becomes the Third European Country to Issue Emergency Use Authorization for Vestaron Peptide-Based Bioinsecticide for Control of Tomato Leafminer
14 Mayo 2024 - 6:00AM
Cyprus has become the third country in the European Union to grant
farmers emergency access to Vestaron’s innovative bioinsecticide,
SPEAR® LEP, to combat the destructive impact of tomato leafminer
(Tuta absoluta) infestations — a menace known for causing
substantial yield and economic losses for farmers across the
Mediterranean region of Europe.
The Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture, Rural
Development, and the Environment has authorized the emergency use
of SPEAR LEP to provide growers in Cyprus with a new and potent
tool to effectively manage tomato leafminer infestations. This
authorization allows its use on tomatoes from May 2 to August 29,
aligning with critical periods of pest activity in the region. In
addition to tomato leafminer, SPEAR LEP targets other lepidopteran
pests, including navel orangeworm, European grapevine moth, codling
moth, loopers, and caterpillars. Notably, it is well-suited for
integrated pest management strategies due to its unique mode of
action, offering low toxicity to mammals, vertebrates, beneficial
insects, and pollinators including bees. Cyprus joins Italy and
Greece in granting emergency use authorization for SPEAR LEP,
showcasing the growing recognition of its efficacy and
environmental benefits.
Juan Estupinan, Vestaron’s CEO and president, celebrated the
milestone, stating: “Cyprus's decision reflects the urgent need for
innovative solutions in agriculture to address evolving challenges.
Vestaron is committed to providing farmers with effective,
sustainable tools that safeguard both crop health and environmental
well-being.” Estupinan continued, “We heard from grower groups
across the Mediterranean region about their need for a product such
as ours and we’re so pleased we can bring SPEAR LEP to them
presently through the emergency use authorization. Our ongoing
efforts include seeking full approval from the European Commission,
underscoring our dedication to delivering cutting-edge crop
protection solutions.”
Premier Shukuroglou Cyprus Ltd., a distributor with in-house
agronomy service submitted in February 2024 for an emergency use
authorization on behalf of Cypriot tomato growers, to the Ministry
of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, stating that
it is pleased that the authorization has been granted, allowing
tomato growers to effectively and sustainably control costly
infestations of the pest Tuta absoluta.
“Having access to effective measures of biological origin such
as SPEAR LEP is vital to helping producers overcome
resistance—supporting production profitability while reducing the
impact of agriculture on the environment,” said Kyriakos
Orphanides, Technical Manager of Premier Shukuroglou Cyprus.
“With a unique mode of action, classified by IRAC as group 32,
SPEAR LEP provides Cypriot tomato growers with a sustainable
solution to use in rotation with other insecticides with different
modes of action, helping to protect crop quality and yields while
preserving the efficacy of the limited range of products available
to combat this prevalent pest,” Said Orphanides.
The Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture's decision to grant emergency
use authorization reflects the growing demand for effective and
environmentally responsible crop protection solutions. Vestaron
continues to lead the way in developing innovative bioinsecticides,
contributing to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural
industry.
SPEAR LEP has undergone rigorous testing across Europe,
demonstrating its efficacy against target pests under various
conditions, including populations resistant to conventional
insecticides. This bioinsecticide's success lies in its novel mode
of action (IRAC group 32), derived from naturally occurring
peptides in spider venom and produced through natural fermentation
processes. SPEAR LEP has no known resistance or cross-resistance
with synthetic pesticides and presents minimal risk to people,
pollinators, and beneficials as determined by USA EPA and
Canadian PMRA regulatory approvals. It has gained traction in the
United States since 2020, with subsequent approvals in Mexico and
Canada, highlighting its global relevance and impact on sustainable
agriculture practices.
About Vestaron
Vestaron is leading a global revolution in crop protection by
creating novel, effective, and sustainable solutions our customers
need to meet the growing challenges of modern agriculture. Founded
in 2005 and headquartered in Durham, NC (USA), we are producing a
pipeline of powerful insecticides with new modes of action based on
peptides modified from the venom of spiders and other venomous
animals. Naturally soft on pollinators, beneficials, and local
biodiversity, our innovations have earned recognition from the Crop
Science Awards and the EPA’s Green Chemistry Challenge. In 2024, we
became the first agriculture and food company inducted into the
Global CleanTech 100 Hall of Fame. Vestaron: Unconventional,
by nature.SM
- Cyprus Becomes the Third European Country to Issue Emergency
Use Authorization for Vestaron Peptide-Based Bioinsecticide for
Control of Tomato Leafminer
Steve Betz
Vestaron
(515) 707-6096
sbetz@vestaron.com