Seed Treatment of Minor Crops

摘要

A recent Brazilian law (IN no. 1 of February, 2010) regulated the use of agrochemicals for crops classified as minor crops, i.e., small-scale crops that do not generate enough economic returns to justify investments in developing specialized pest control products by the chemical industry. The law was a step forward in the use and control of agrochemicals for species that previously had no approved pesticides, and for which producers often used either inappropriate or contraband products to satisfy pesticide needs. Unfortunately, this inappropriate use is still the case regarding seed treatment, and it negatively impacts seed and crop exports. It also diverges from appropriate crop production methods that utilize environmentally sound practices withminimal use of pesticides per unit area. A law addressing minor uses for seed treatment is of fundamental importance, and the recent development of laws regulating minor uses of products for crops of lower economic importance is an important step towardsextending these minor uses to seed treatment.