RFO: Insecticides in summer what is not allowed?

Summer is finally here! During the warmest time of the year, animals can suffer greatly from flies. Fortunately, there are remedies on the market to control or repel the flies. Is there any (old) pesticide in the pantry? Before use, check the authorization and instructions for use. Only use approved fly control products!

Ecobuster from Flybuster and DEET
NVWA inspectors recently saw, for example, that Flybusters' fly control product Ecobuster with expired authorization (authorization number: 14332N) is still being used. From Jan. 1, 2024, it may no longer be used and sold. Horses in stables where the drug Ecobuster has been used are no longer fit for human consumption.

It is also not allowed to use repellents without valid authorization on horses, such as agents with DEET. In the Netherlands, repellents with DEET are only permitted for use on humans.

What can I do?
Check the authorization of your insecticides in your pantry or before purchasing insecticides at CTGB Approvals, filter on the ‘Biocides’ category, under product types PT18 & PT19. Then you can check for yourself whether the drug may still be used.

An authorization number appears on the packaging of authorized agents. You can recognize it by one of the following ways of notation:

12345N; NL-0123456-0000; EU-0123456-0000

The numbers beginning with EU are allowed throughout the European Union. You can find these in the ECHA database. Foreign agents with other approval numbers are prohibited in the Netherlands.

What should I pay attention to?
With approved agents, you must always follow the directions for use on the label. This means that you must use the pesticide for the correct purpose (authorized for use in stables for horses), maintain the correct dosage and take precautions to use the pesticide safely (for example, cover the feed and/or feed troughs during treatment).

Anything else to think about?
Professional insecticides may only be used by pest managers with a Pest Technician (BT) or Starters License Pest Technician (LBT) certificate who are in the   RPMV-registered and by farmers on their own farms. Veterinarians may not use these agents. Hobby farmers and individuals may only use non-professional insecticides.

Improper and illegal use of insecticides can pose risks to humans, animals and the environment. The NVWA can enforce this.

We hope to have informed you sufficiently this way, but if you still have questions please check our website: Biocides | NVWA

Submitted by RFO