Bayer CropScience has reached an important milestone towards the market introduction of its innovative insecticide Sivanto™ prime in Europe. Its active ingredient flupyradifurone, which belongs to the chemical class of butenolides, has been approved for the maximum time span of 10 years by the European Commission in accordance with Regulation (EC) 1107/2009. Sivanto prime controls a wide range of sucking pests on fruits and vegetables as well as speciality crops such as hops. The approval decision will enter into force after being published in the Official Journal of the European Union. First national registrations of Sivanto prime in European countries are expected in 2016 and the market introduction is planned for 2017.

“European growers, retailers, the food chain and consumers will all benefit from Sivanto prime,” said Dr. Matthias Haas, responsible Global Project Manager at Bayer CropScience. “It combines efficacy and convenience for the grower with excellent safety characteristics and will lead to better quality of produce. When applied at the proposed label rates, Sivanto prime is not associated with any adverse effects on honey bees and bumble bees.” 

Haas pointed out that Bayer’s core competencies lie in developing and supplying integrated crop solutions that are locally adapted and tailored to the individual needs of its customers. “We are convinced that Sivanto prime will become an important strategic cornerstone of our tailored offer in Europe.”

Sivanto prime has been successfully launched in the USA, Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. Applied as a foliar spray or as a soil drench or drip irrigation, Sivanto prime has demonstrated its potential in practice. ”We expect to receive regulatory approval in Canada and Australia by the end of the year,” added Dr. Hans-Werner Rauen, Global Regulatory Affairs Manager Insecticides at Bayer CropScience. For more information on Sivanto prime including a list of registered crops, visit www.sivanto.com.

Due to its selectivity to most beneficials in fruit and vegetable crops, Sivanto prime can be used in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs together with biologicals and beneficials. Furthermore, it is a new tool for improved resistance management. Sivanto prime also offers growers great flexibility with regard to timing as it can even be applied during flowering, ensuring crop safety at all growth stages.