European Court of Justice to Hear Crucial Case on Mancozeb Ban

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) will hold a critical hearing in Case C-262/23 P, which challenges the European Commission’s 2020 decision to withdraw approval for mancozeb, a fungicide vital for managing late blight in potatoes, according to a statement from Copa-Cogeca shared with infoFERMA.

The outcome of this case could pave the way for mancozeb to be reapproved and made available once again to European growers. The case is being closely followed by farmers and their cooperatives across the EU.

The legal appeal centers on the argument that the Commission’s decision failed to consider updated classification guidelines issued by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which could significantly alter the reproductive toxicity classification of mancozeb. The ban was based on outdated criteria that no longer reflect current scientific understanding.

The hearing comes amid a worsening late blight crisis across the EU. Infections are now emerging earlier in the growing season, in some areas even before planting is completed. New, aggressive pathogen strains are outpacing both breeding efforts and the fungicidal tools currently available.

Mancozeb has long been a cornerstone of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in European potato production. As a cost-effective, multi-site fungicide with proven resistance management value, its removal in 2020 left many farmers without viable alternatives—especially in the face of increasing disease pressure driven by climate volatility and evolving pathogens.

The few remaining fungicides—mainly single-site actives—are losing efficacy, and several are now facing renewed regulatory scrutiny.

The sector has continually invested in sustainable solutions. In 2024, Copa and Cogeca launched an Action Plan to strengthen IPM, accelerate the adoption of resistant varieties, and improve value chain coordination. However, field-level challenges continue to grow.

This hearing is therefore more than a legal formality—it is a critical test of the EU’s ability to base regulatory decisions on updated scientific evidence and real-world agricultural needs.

Copa and Cogeca are calling on EU institutions to ensure that farmers retain access to effective tools while upholding the Union’s high standards for health, safety, and sustainability.

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