13/07/2018 (Agence Europe) – During the meeting of experts from member states on 19 and 20 July, the European Commission is expected to present a proposal aimed at renewing, for five years, the authorisation to use copper in agriculture. For organic wine production, this would mean 4 kg/hectare/year without smoothing. The EU agricultural organisations and cooperatives (Copa-Cogeca) request that this fungicide be re-approved for seven years, with a limit of 6 kg/ha/year with smoothing for 5 years (hence the possibility of exceeding this threshold if, during years with low mildew pressure, the wine has been treated less). MEPs are also rallying to this issue (see EUROPE 12025). (LC)