Key Takeaways:
- Cyprus has authorized emergency use of Vestaron’s bioinsecticide, SPEAR® LEP, to combat tomato leafminer infestations.
- The authorization is effective from May 2 to August 29, 2024, aligning with peak pest activity.
- SPEAR LEP is effective against multiple lepidopteran pests and supports integrated pest management strategies.
- The bioinsecticide offers low toxicity to non-target organisms, including beneficial insects and pollinators.
- This decision marks Cyprus as the third EU country to approve SPEAR LEP, following Italy and Greece.
Emergency Use Authorization for SPEAR LEP
Cyprus has become the third European Union country to grant farmers emergency access to Vestaron’s innovative bioinsecticide, SPEAR® LEP, to address the destructive tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) infestations. This pest is notorious for causing significant yield and economic losses across the Mediterranean region. The Republic of Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Environment has approved the emergency use of SPEAR LEP, providing Cypriot growers with a potent tool to manage these infestations effectively.
Authorization Details and Target Pests
The emergency use authorization is valid from May 2 to August 29, 2024, coinciding with critical periods of pest activity. SPEAR LEP not only targets tomato leafminers but also other lepidopteran pests such as navel orangeworm, European grapevine moth, codling moth, loopers, and caterpillars. Its unique mode of action makes it suitable for integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, offering low toxicity to mammals, vertebrates, beneficial insects, and pollinators, including bees.
Industry and Company Reactions
Juan Estupinan, Vestaron’s CEO and president, praised the authorization, 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 emphasized the feedback from growers across the Mediterranean, highlighting the critical need for products like SPEAR LEP. He added, “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.”
Premier Shukuroglou Cyprus Ltd., the distributor that submitted the request for emergency use authorization on behalf of Cypriot tomato growers, expressed satisfaction with the approval. “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.
Benefits and Impact of SPEAR LEP
SPEAR LEP’s unique mode of action, classified by IRAC as group 32, provides a sustainable solution for Cypriot tomato growers. This mode of action enables its use in rotation with other insecticides, preserving the efficacy of limited products available to combat prevalent pests. Orphanides commented, “SPEAR LEP helps to protect crop quality and yields while preserving the efficacy of the limited range of products available to combat this prevalent pest.”
The Cyprus Ministry of Agriculture’s decision reflects the increasing demand for effective and environmentally responsible crop protection solutions. SPEAR LEP has undergone rigorous testing across Europe, proving its efficacy against target pests, including those resistant to conventional insecticides. Its novel mode of action, derived from naturally occurring peptides in spider venom and produced through natural fermentation, has no known resistance or cross-resistance with synthetic pesticides. The bioinsecticide poses minimal risk to people, pollinators, and beneficial organisms, as determined by regulatory approvals from the USA EPA and Canadian PMRA.
Global Impact and Future Prospects
Since its introduction in the United States in 2020, SPEAR LEP has gained traction with subsequent approvals in Mexico and Canada, underscoring its global relevance and impact on sustainable agriculture practices. Vestaron continues to lead in developing innovative bioinsecticides, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural industry.
Vestaron Recent News
Italy Authorizes Emergency Use Against Tomato Leafminer (2024/04/23)
The Italian Ministry of Health has approved the emergency use of SPEAR® LEP, Vestaron’s peptide-based bioinsecticide, to address severe outbreaks of the tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta), a pest known for causing significant agricultural losses in Europe. This pest’s presence has escalated concerns about potential yield impacts, prompting the need for effective solutions like SPEAR LEP.
Partners With Simplot Grower Solutions (2024/03/28)
Vestaron Corporation and Simplot Grower Solutions have entered into a significant distribution agreement to bring Vestaron’s innovative insecticides into the hands of farmers nationwide. The partnership aims to reshape the landscape of modern agriculture in the United States by leveraging Simplot Grower Solutions’ extensive distribution network and agronomic expertise. At the heart of this partnership is Vestaron’s novel peptide-based insecticide, SPEAR® LEP, which is designed to tackle lepidopteran pests in a range of crops. Both Vestaron and Simplot are committed to sustainable agriculture and providing farmers with solutions that ensure productivity while adhering to environmental stewardship.
Announces EPA Approval of BASIN® (2024/03/22)
Vestaron Corporation has achieved regulatory approval for its BASIN insecticide from Mexico’s COFEPRIS. The product uses a peptide-based substance to protect crops while minimizing environmental impact. BASIN was also recently approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Vestaron aims to offer innovative, sustainable solutions that benefit farmers and the environment alike.
Announces EPA Approval of BASIN® (2024/03/08)
Vestaron Corporation has received EPA approval for its peptide-based insecticide, BASIN®, derived from spider venom. The product is authorized for use in controlled environments like greenhouses, targeting a wide range of pests that threaten crops. The approval for outdoor use is anticipated to follow. BASIN represents a major leap forward in agricultural science that prioritizes both productivity and environmental responsibility. The introduction of BASIN to the market, expected by early 2025, signifies a commitment by Vestaron to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable crop protection.
Emergency Authorization in Greece (2024/02/08)
Vestaron Corporation has achieved an Article 53 Emergency Authorization in Greece for SPEAR LEP, a bioinsecticide that targets lepidopteran pests threatening tomato crops. This peptide-based insecticide disrupts pests’ central nervous system without harming non-target species. Its recent approval provides an effective and sustainable solution for European growers facing the challenges of Tuta absoluta pest. Vestaron’s initiative supports the EU’s goal to reduce pesticide use by 50% by 2030, emphasizing the importance of sustainable farming practices.
Vestaron’s Leadership Transition (2024/02/02)
Vestaron Launches Sustainable Insecticide, Spear RC (2023/02/27)
Vestaron’s latest product, Spear RC, is a breakthrough in pest control for broad-acre crops such as cotton, soybean, and rice. Designed to target lepidopteran pests like cotton bollworm, soybean looper, and armyworm, Spear RC has shown exceptional results in field trials. In addition, its efficacy is comparable to conventional insecticides, without known or cross-resistance issues.
Vestaron and Bioinsectis Announce Strategic Collaboration in Crop Protection (2023/09/22)
In a groundbreaking development for sustainable agriculture, Vestaron Corporation, a leader in peptide-based crop protection, has announced a strategic partnership with Bioinsectis S.L., a pioneer in biopesticides. This collaboration aims to revolutionize crop protection by leveraging Bioinsectis’ cutting-edge Cry-protein-based technologies to enhance the bioavailability of insecticidal peptides. The goal is to provide growers with unique and flexible insecticide formulations to combat insect resistance while promoting agricultural sustainability. Vestaron’s expertise in peptide-based solutions, combined with Bioinsectis’ innovative microbial-derived insecticides, can transform the agricultural industry by offering more effective and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional chemical pesticides. This collaboration reflects the industry’s shift towards sustainable and biological approaches in crop protection, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing transition.
Photo by Dani California on Unsplash
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