France approves AXPERA for vineyards

France has granted a 120-day emergency authorization for AXPERA, a biocontrol product aimed at helping winegrowers fight downy mildew during the 2026 growing season, according to industry reports. The approval allows use from May through August, the period when spray pressure is often highest in French vineyards.

The decision, issued by the French Ministry of Agriculture after requests from the wine industry, gives growers another option as they try to protect vines while reducing dependence on copper-based treatments. It also comes as regulators move closer to a final ruling on whether AXPERA should receive permanent approval.

AXPERA is not a conventional fungicide. It is based on compounds derived from amoeba and is designed to work in two ways: by disrupting the pathogen that causes downy mildew and by triggering the vine’s own defenses through a process known as induced systemic resistance. In practical terms, that means the product is meant to lower infection pressure while helping the plant prepare for future attacks.

The product is intended for integrated pest management programs, where growers combine different tools rather than rely on one chemical alone. It is used preventively and in rotation with other treatments, a strategy meant to reduce resistance risks and limit repeated use of single-site chemistry.

The emergency approval follows a similar authorization in 2025, reflecting continued concern over mildew pressure in French vineyards. Growers have faced tighter limits on copper use in recent years, making biological alternatives more important as they plan spray programs for the season ahead.

For many producers, AXPERA is not expected to replace existing treatments outright. Instead, it adds another layer of protection at a time when disease pressure remains high and options are more constrained than they were in the past.