French Court Suspends Ban on Copper Pesticides After Manufacturer’s Appeal

A French administrative court has suspended restrictions on the use of copper-based pesticides, following an urgent appeal by the German manufacturer Cosaco GmbH. The company had requested the renewal of market authorizations in France for several products, including "Funguran Oh," "Funguran-Oh 300 SC," "Kocide Opti," and "Kocide 2000." These products contain copper hydroxide as their active ingredient, a substance approved by the European Commission until June 30, 2029.

In July 2025, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (Anses) decided not to renew the authorization for 17 copper-containing products, including those from Cosaco GmbH. According to Anses, manufacturers had failed to provide required documentation. The agency’s decision was set to take effect in 2027.

Cosaco GmbH challenged this decision in an emergency procedure before the administrative court in Melun. The court partially suspended Anses’ decision, citing significant economic consequences for the manufacturer and a sharp reduction in available copper-based solutions for the wine industry. In its statement, the court noted that Anses did not seriously dispute that ending the use of these products would worsen an already limited supply of copper-based treatments for vineyards. The court also highlighted that there is currently no reliable alternative, especially for organic farming.

Copper remains the most widely used natural molecule to combat downy mildew, a persistent fungal threat in vineyards that becomes particularly severe during rainy years. Anses had justified its refusal to renew authorizations by stating that available data did not rule out harmful effects on agricultural workers. However, the court found there was serious doubt about the legality of this assessment as it relates specifically to vineyard workers’ health.

The court ordered Anses to review the market authorization requests for these products for vineyard use within two months. The decision was welcomed by several industry groups, including the National Federation of Organic Agriculture (Fnab), France Vin Bio, and the National Confederation of AOC Wines (CNAOC), who called it a historic victory for the wine sector.

The case highlights ongoing tensions over copper use in agriculture. While copper is essential for controlling certain plant diseases, concerns remain about its impact on human health and the environment. The outcome of Anses’ renewed review will be closely watched by both producers and regulators across Europe.