New cereal fungicides to be launched in the UK 

Alberto Ancora, general manager of Sumitomo Chemical Agro Europe, said that beyond the company’s conventional chemical portfolio, the business has also made “key acquisitions and investments” in biorational agriculture over the years, anticipating the current green evolution in European agriculture.

This is where the team sees significant potential in combining conventional chemistry with new biorational strategies as an ideal solution for sustainable farming.

Sustainability key in challenging times 

Mr Ancora said: “Although Sumitomo may be a new name to many UK farmers and agronomists, we have a rich history in agriculture going back 350 years.

“The company was born out of an idea of converting harmful gases emitted by copper mining into fertilisers, solving an environmental problem and simultaneously providing a solution to farmers.

“That’s a very forward-looking and concrete example of our approach as a pioneer in sustainable agriculture.

“Today, when you look at the role of a professional farmer, it remains one of the most fascinating and difficult jobs, requiring numerous skills, as well as passion and entrepreneurship.”

Sumitomo general manager added that in order to be resilient and compete successfully in a global market, while overcoming unprecedented events such as COVID-19, climate change and the current war in Ukraine, farmers will need to focus on greater sustainability.

This can be done by integrating traditional chemistry with successful biorational solutions.

New data to be released soon 

Simon Leak, business manager, crop solutions for Sumitomo Chemical (UK) plc – UK and Ireland, endorses Mr Ancora’s vision for the future and believes that the company has already made successful in-roads into the UK agrochemical market.

He adds: “Sumitomo Chemical already market a number of important products in the UK, including Dipel, the leading Bacillus thuringiensis – a biorational product with specific activity against lepidoptera, Sven (Esfenvalerate) a leading pyrethroid and Soleil, a combination bromuconazole and tebuconazole for rust and fusarium control in wheat.

“In Sumitomo Chemical’s immediate pipeline, we also have a number of new conventional active ingredients currently in the approval system, including two exciting new fungicides targeting key diseases such as septoria, net blotch, ramularia and rusts and we are hopeful of approvals in the near future.”

Mr Leak also confirmed that Sumitomo Chemical (UK) is currently working with organisations such as NIAB and ADAS on trials to further optimise the potential of these products and hope to present data on these new actives in the near future.

Read more arable news.