Copper product approved for use to combat blight

On Friday June 23rd Curenox 50WP, containing copper oxychloride was registered with the Pesticide division of the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine for use in food production to control blight. In organic systems blight can wipe out crops such as potatoes and here in Ireland we are particularly susceptible to the spread of blight due to climatic conditions.

Curenox 50WP has initially been approved for use in grapes but DAFM has also approved a number of “off-label” uses for including potato, apple, pear, forest nursery and outdoor ornamentals.  Instruction for use on these ‘off-label’ crops will be circulated soon. The product will be distributed in Ireland by Unichem and will be formally added to the list of approved products on the DAFM database at their earliest convenience

Please be aware that while the product has been registered by the DAFM organic operators must adhere to the quantities allowed by the organic regulations – namely 6kg per ha per year.

We will update this post once more information becomes available, for more information please contact the IOA office.