Sustainable biopesticides specialist Eden Research PLC (AIM:EDEN, OTCQB:EDNSF) (AIM: EDEN) said its product Cedroz has received temporary approval for use in Greece during the 2024 growing season.
The go-ahead, granted under Regulation EU/1107/2009, allows Cedroz to be applied to potatoes to control wireworms, with Eastman Chemical serving as the distributor in Greece.
Wireworms, the larvae of click beetles, cause significant damage to potato crops by creating holes and mini-tunnels in the vegetables. This pest is increasingly problematic in many regions, leaving farmers with limited options to minimize its impact, most of which rely on synthetic insecticides.
In Greece alone, infestations affect approximately 5,000 to 6,000 hectares of potato cultivation. This presents a substantial commercial opportunity for Cedroz, expanding its use beyond its established role as a post-planting nematicide in horticultural crops.
Eden Research emphasized the importance of sustainable pest management solutions. It highlighted Cedroz's role in providing an effective alternative to conventional insecticides, aligning with the company's commitment to environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
"The granting of this temporary approval indicates that there are no other commercially available, viable alternatives to Cedroz for this particular use," said CEO Sean Smith.
"We have seen in previous trials, and even under a previously granted temporary approval in Italy on wireworms, that the product works well and, as such, we are confident that there is a strong business case for this use."