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(Alliance News) - Eden Research PLC on Monday said its commercial partner Sumi Agro France has received a 120 day "emergency use" authorisation from the French authorities for Eden's fungicide, Mevalone.
Mevalone is used for treatment of storage diseases on apples.
The AIM-listed biopesticide products developer said such "emergency" authorisations are allowed by EU member states when local regulatory authorities judge that they are needed in the local market in order to meet the requirements of growers in the absence of suitable commercially-available alternatives.
Sumi Agro has been selling Mevalone in France since receiving approval for the sale and use of Mevalone for the treatment of botrytis on table and wine grapes in January 2017.
Under this 120-day derogation, Sumi Agro will sell Mevalone to apple producers in France who will apply Mevalone just prior to harvest, Eden said. France is one of the top ten producers of apples globally and is the third largest producer in Europe.
"This is excellent news supporting the further growth of Mevalone sales as it represents a major new use on an important crop for the treatment of diseases that affect the shelf life of apples," said Eden Chief Executive Sean Smith.
"For the Sumi Agro France team, this emergency use is another important opportunity to promote Mevalone to growers and to better serve a modern and evolving agriculture responding fully to the needs of society," added President of Sumi Agro France Antoine Meyer.
Eden shares were trading 6.7% higher on Monday in London at 11.05 pence each.