Type: Fungicide.
Health Hazards: Endocrine disruptor, toxic to reproduction, with many negative findings on fetal development. Classified as suspected to be carcinogenic (category 2). Use can lead to azole resistant Aspergillosis fungi in humans that are resistant to available medicines.
Environmental Hazards: Long-term risk to insectivorous birds; long-term risk to granivorous birds; long-term risk to herbivorous mammals; long-term risk to granivorous mammals. Very toxic to aquatic life, acutely and with long-lasting effects (5-meter buffer required). The persistant transformation product (metabolite) 1,2,4-T of difenoconazole is also harmful to reproduction and pollutes water.
Exposure: Authorised in all 27 member states.
Residues present in food:
Regulatory State of Play: Autorisation expired in 2018, five “unjustified” prolongations, approved until 15/03/2026. We won court cases in the Netherlands in January 2025 concerning difenoconazole product Dagonis. During this case in April 2024, the European Court ruled that EU member states must look at the latest available independent studies.
Use: Widely used in fruits, vegetables, cereals and other field crops. Approved for spraying on fields outside.
Alternatives: Resistant varieties, sufficient planting distance, humidity monitoring, sodium & potassium bicarbonates.
See also the closely related and very toxic tebuconazole.
