EU ban on buprofezin: what farmers and pesticide manufacturers must do

Key data

Farmers, manufacturers and distributors of plant protection products working with buprofezin face a significant change: the European Commission has decided not to renew the approval of this active substance through the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2517, published on 13 November 2026 and in force since 12 November 2026.

The direct consequence is that buprofezin disappears from the list of authorized active substances contained in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011, which is amended on this point. From now on, no plant protection product containing this substance may continue to be marketed or used once Member States withdraw the corresponding authorizations within the established timeframes.

What does this regulation establish?

Buprofezin is an insect growth regulator insecticide widely used in horticultural and fruit crops. The European Commission has denied the renewal of its approval because the applicant failed to demonstrate that the substance meets the approval criteria required by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. The specific reasons are two:

• Risk to aquatic organisms: it was not demonstrated that the substance is safe for the aquatic environment under the intended conditions of use.
• Possible endocrine-disrupting properties: there is evidence that buprofezin could act as an endocrine disruptor, placing it in a category of special regulatory concern in the EU.

As a result, Regulation 2026/2517 amends Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 to remove buprofezin from the list of approved substances. Member States are obliged to withdraw authorizations for plant protection products containing this substance within the timeframes established by each competent national authority.

Economic and operational impact

The withdrawal of buprofezin generates costs and disruptions at several points in the supply chain:

• Farmers: need to identify, approve and purchase alternative insecticides for pest control in their crops. In some cases, available alternatives may have a higher cost per hectare or different efficacy against the same pests.
• Pesticide manufacturers: must reformulate or withdraw from the market products containing buprofezin as an active substance, with the R&D, registration and approval costs involved.
• Distributors: existing stock of products with buprofezin will lose its sales authorization once Member States execute the withdrawal, which can generate inventory losses if not managed in time.

The impact is particularly relevant in three specific production sectors: citrus, rice and intensive horticulture, where buprofezin was a common pest management tool. Spain, as one of Europe's leading producers in these three categories, concentrates a significant portion of exposure to the change.

Who does it affect?

• Citrus farmers (oranges, lemons, mandarins) who used buprofezin to control scale insects and other scale insects.
• Rice producers who used this substance in managing crop-specific pests.
• Intensive horticulture operations (greenhouses, plastic-covered crops) where buprofezin was applied against whiteflies and other insects.
• Manufacturers of plant protection products that have buprofezin formulations as an active ingredient in their catalog.
• Distributors and agricultural cooperatives that market these products and manage inventory.
• Agricultural advisors and field technicians who must update their treatment recommendations.

Practical example

A Valencian citrus cooperative that supplies plant protection products to its members has several batches of insecticide formulated with buprofezin in storage, purchased for the autumn-winter treatment campaign. Following the publication of Regulation 2026/2517, the Spanish competent authority must withdraw the product authorization within the established timeframe.

If the cooperative does not act quickly, it faces a double problem: on one hand, it will not be able to sell the stock once the authorization is withdrawn; on the other, its farmer members will need an approved alternative before the next treatment window. The cooperative must contact its suppliers now to learn the exact withdrawal schedule, evaluate what alternative insecticides are available and authorized for citrus, and communicate the change to its members with sufficient notice so they can plan their treatments.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify all plant protection products with buprofezin in the catalog or in use, both in the field and in storage, to understand the real scope of exposure.
2. Consult the competent national authority (in Spain, the Ministry of Agriculture) on the specific timeframes for withdrawing authorizations, as the Regulation delegates to each Member State the setting of such timeframes.
3. Evaluate approved alternatives for each affected crop (citrus, rice, intensive horticulture), prioritizing those that already have valid authorization in Spain and have a similar efficacy profile against the same pests.
4. Manage existing stock before the marketing authorization expires, to avoid inventory losses. Coordinate with suppliers and distributors.
5. Update pest management plans and farm records to reflect the change of active substance, in compliance with traceability regulations and sustainable pesticide use.
6. Inform field technicians and agricultural advisors so they can update their treatment recommendations before the next campaign.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202602517