Use of sulfur dusting for greenhouses. COAG Andalusia has asked the Ministry of Agriculture the possibility of using sulfur dusting for greenhouses on an exceptional basis while looking for an equally effective alternative because, at present, it is nonexistent.

Since the withdrawal of the authorization for its use in greenhouses, farmers can continue to use what they have left in their warehouses and farms, but for uses other than the recently banned one. The problem is that there is no natural option with the same performance and effectiveness as sulfur in the world market.

Consequences of the ban on the use of sulfur dusting in greenhouses

According to Agrodigital, Andrés Góngora, head of Fruit and Vegetables of the agrarian organization and secretary general of COAG Almería, explained that at least, it is possible to use in crops under plastic products based on sulfur dusting mixed with copper or silicon.

On the other hand, he claims that this ban from the Ministry of Agriculture can bring serious consequences for this type of crops. In addition, he said that this measure has been taken too quickly, without thinking about the impact caused both in organic farming and in the more traditional ones.

According to the organization, it is thought that this fact may have been influenced by the pressure that the multinationals of the phytosanitary sector are continually exerting. This is possible because, in addition to being a cheap and natural element, it is not a product that produces any type of benefit for them, since the molecule(sulfur) does not belong to any of them, so they cannot benefit from its sale.

Protocol for exceptional authorizations

Between COAG Almeria and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Junta de Andalusia has begun to move the matter so that the request reaches the Ministry. In addition, Murcia has also been launched, so that the protocol to obtain these exceptional authorizations, which is activated when two autonomous communities request the same demand, seems to be in operation.

In spite of everything, COAG is calling for the urgent convening of the Plant Health Committee of Andalusia to find the best alternative to the problem of the use of sulfur in dusting for greenhouses, which can damage the phytosanitary sector in our province.

Source: Agrodigital

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