Europe is in the midst of its worst drought in over 500 years, with almost two thirds of the continent affected according to the latest JRC Global Drought Observatory Report for August 2022.

The extremely dry conditions are having numerous negative impacts, reducing crop yields and quality, and also creating conditions for some insect crop pests to flourish.  In the report it is estimated that maize, soybean, and sunflowers will be most affected, with yield reductions estimated to be -16%, -15%, and -12% respectively, relative to 5-year averages.

Securing supplies of different sources of active substance technical materials for manufacture of Plant Protection Products can help agrochemical companies safeguard their production and supply. If supply issues were experienced with a technical material sourced from one manufacturing location, having alternative sources can help ensure an adequate supply to maintain PPP production.

In a recent examination of Open EFSA Portal by Enviresearch, we identified there to be around 70+ active substances currently which have reached the EFSA Peer Review stage of the renewal procedure. Additionally, a review of the EU Pesticides Database showed there to have been 15 active substance renewals that have entered into force since the beginning of 2021. Whilst there have clearly been long-standing issues concerning capacity gaps for National Competent Authorities and EFSA in stewarding active substances through renewal procedures, our examination of the last 18 months indicates there is a steady stream of active substance renewal making their way through the system.

A recent report published by Ireland's Health and Safety Authority (HSA) confirmed that checks carried out on 970 chemicals products during 2021 for compliance with REACH, CLP and the detergents regulation resulted in 87 products being removed from the market and a further 61 banned from sale to the general public. Products were predominantly banned or removed from the market due to non-compliance with CLP requirements or because they contained restricted substances or substances subject to authorisation under REACH.