28/11/2018 (Agence Europe) – Experts from EU countries approved on Tuesday 27 November a proposal on the renewal of the authorisation to use copper in agriculture, a very sensitive issue for organic viticulture (see EUROPE 12127). The text proposed by the European Commission, which has been accepted, allows a new authorisation for copper for seven years. The conditions of use have been tightened, since the annual limit has been reduced from six to four kg/ha/year and twenty-eight kg for a maximum of seven years. France welcomed the agreement, stating that it would “make it possible to maintain a plant protection solution while requiring a strong commitment in a new phase to reduce copper use”. EU trade organisations requested authorisation on the basis of the current criteria (seven years, limit of six kg/ha/year with smoothing over five years). (LC)