CRD lifts restriction on Bayer’s Iblon fungicide

The UK’s Chemicals Regulation Directorate has lifted its two-year usage restriction on Bayer’s Iblon fungicide, clearing the way for growers to apply the isoflucypram-based product on wheat and barley grown consecutively in the same field. The regulatory change follows the authority’s review of additional data supporting the product’s safety and efficacy.

The move broadens access to one of Bayer’s key broad-spectrum fungicides at a time when UK arable producers are seeking more flexible disease-management options. The CRD, part of the Health & Safety Executive, also approved a label extension for Vimoy (Iblon) to include barley, giving farmers an additional tool ahead of the 2026 cropping season.

Previously, growers were limited to a maximum of 75g of isoflucypram every two years, effectively restricting applications to a single use within that period. With the restriction removed, farmers can now deploy Iblon-based formulations in successive seasons on approved crops.

Bayer said the decision will allow producers to maximise disease control and maintain crop greening, even under low disease pressure. “Many growers have come to appreciate the broad-spectrum performance of Iblon,” said Nils Bauer, managing director of Bayer’s UK Crop Science division. He added that the company hopes to see similar regulatory progress in the EU, where the product is not yet available.

The change applies to a range of Iblon formulations sold in the UK, including Vimoy, Jessico Fusion, Plaxium, Caley, Ipresso, Resilis, Milteo, Scorpio and Vivalis, several of which combine isoflucypram with other active ingredients such as prothioconazole, fluopyram or fenpicoxamid (Inatreq). The portfolio is positioned as offering broad-spectrum control for cereals.

Iblon is currently authorized only in Great Britain and New Zealand. The expanded use conditions are expected to influence fungicide planning for UK wheat and barley growers in 2026 as companies compete to consolidate market share in cereal crop protection.