EU: Organic potatoes under threat from ban on copper-based fungicides
The UK National Farmers’ Union has warned that organic potato producers are under threat from proposed EU legislation against copper-based fungicides. NFU organic committee chairman Oliver Dowding said that: “The legislation for the removal of copper as a fungicide will cut output (of organic systems) from 60% of conventional crops to just 40%. Even with a 100% organic premium you can do the simple maths and see growers are going to be worse off.”
NFU organic committee chairman Oliver Dowding said that: “The legislation for the removal of copper as a fungicide will cut output (of organic systems) from 60% of conventional crops to just 40%. Even with a 100% organic premium you can do the simple maths and see growers are going to be worse off.”
Farmer’s Weekly reported Dowding as saying that alternatives to copper needed to be identified immediately.
Sign up for our daily news round-up!
Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.
Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.
Excellence in Action Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suitedelivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.