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Brazil

Oilseeds, oils and meals

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01/11/2013

Production

Pest control

Declared state of emergency due to latest outbreak of caterpillar helocoverpa armigera in four central states – temporarily permitting importation of a powerful pesticide.

BRAZIL – pest control: To control the latest outbreak of caterpillar helocoverpa armigera the government has declared the state of emergency in four of the country’s central states – all of them growing soybeans. By doing so, it temporarily permitted the importation of a powerful pesticide. As fighting the pest involves multiple applications of insecticide and destruction of plants, a surge in production costs is expected. Last season, the caterpillar’s attacks throughout the country caused an estimated loss of 4.7 billion USD. First identified in February 2013, the insect has spread rapidly due to inadequate farming practices, say researchers.