The amide, sulfonylurea, triketone and tirqazine herbicides have been widely utilized in China for many years. Over reliance on these substances has however caused widespread weed resistance and other pesticide residue issues. In addition, China’s vast land mass has a diverse range of tillage methods and weather conditions. As such these widely used herbicides are no longer fit for purpose in a large number of maize plantations. With new formulations and new combination of active ingredients emerging in the market, the number of applications for field trail continues to increase. This article summarizes the maize herbicide field trial applicants, active ingredient, and field trail targets over the course of the last three years.

According to statistics from the China National Agricultural Technology Extension and Service Center (NATESC), weed growth in China has increased significantly rising from 74 million hectares in 2000 to 97.34 million hectares in 2013. The increase in weed growth is compounded by an increase in herbicide resistance. The termination of paraquat AS*(aqueous solution) has left a considerable gap in the market and it appears that Glufosinate offers the most economically viable alternative to paraquat. The number of glufosinate registration has significantly increased in recent years. As a green alternative to paraquat, glufosinate has also proven itself to be a more efficient herbicide than glyphosate.

On 16 Dec 2014, the 16th session of the 8th National Expert Committee for Pesticide Registration was held in Beijing. The session reviewed the full registration of novel active ingredients of 15 products, which were submitted by 8 applicants.

On 12th Dec 2014, the state-owned enterprise Sinochem International Corporation (Sinochem International) announced its purchase of a stake in several agrochemical companies owned by its parent company, the Sinochem Group. Sinochem Crop Protection Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinochem International is purported to have spent 970 million Yuan to purchase its stake in these companies. The move means all agrochemical business (except R&D) of the Sinochem Group will be consolidated under Sinochem International.

According to statistics from China’s Customs bureau, China exported 45.736 tons of glyphosate in September 2014 representing an export value of 159 million USD which compared to the previous month represents a 15.6% drop in volume and a 19.4% drop in value.

On 21 Nov 2014, China ICAMA issued a notice opening 3 draft guidelines for agrochemical testing to public comment. The 3 guidelines were drafted by ICAMA and are open for public comment until 30 November:

By the end of September 2014 the volume of Japanese shipment slightly dropped by 0.5 %( year on year) to some 195,700 tons. In the same period the value of shipments rose by 2.6% to 34.60 billion Yen.

On 7 Nov 2014, the Agricultural Chemicals and Toxic Substances Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan (Taiwan TACTRI) updated the application form for data review on pesticide registration. All templates for each registration and extension category are now available for download at TACTRI’s website.

On 14 Nov 2014, MoA issued a public consulation notice on the draft alteration of 103 pesticide maximum residue limits for 2, 4-D butylate and other 57 pesticide active ingredients.