The administrative court in Melun near Paris has suspended the restrictions on the use of copper preparations in viticulture, reports the news agency AFP as well as the industry magazine La Revue du Vin de France. The health authority Anses had decided in July 2025 not to extend the approval of 17 copper-containing products from 2027. It justified this by stating that "the available data was insufficient to rule out a risk of harmful effects on workers in agriculture." The manufacturers of the preparations had not provided the necessary evidence.

The administrative court has now contradicted this and partially suspended the enforcement of this decision. There are "serious doubts about the legality of this assessment, as far as it concerns the health of persons working in viticulture." The ban would have serious "economic consequences" for manufacturers and wineries, as it would significantly reduce the availability of copper-based solutions for viticulture. There is currently no reliable alternative solution, especially in organic farming. Copper is the most widely used natural active ingredient for combating downy mildew.

Therefore, the court ordered the authority to "re-examine the applications for market approval of these products for use in viticulture within two months." Several viticulture and organic associations welcomed this decision.

(al; Image: Wikimedia Commons)

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