Vestaron’s SPEAR LEP bioinsecticide has secured EU emergency use authorization in Portugal.

The 120-day emergency use authorization for SPEAR LEP is to protect tomato crops from tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta).

SPEAR LEP is a biological product derived from naturally occurring peptides found in spider venom and produced through natural fermentation. SPEAR LEP offers control of lepidopteran pests, including tomato leafminer, without known resistance or cross-resistance to synthetic pesticides.

Since its first appearance in Portugal’s Algarve and Madeira regions in 2009, tomato leafminer has spread across the country’s tomato-growing areas, impacting both industrial and fresh consumption tomatoes. In 2023, Portugal cultivated approximately 18,440 hectares of tomatoes, yielding 1.8 million tonnes, making it one of the EU’s leading tomato producers after Italy and Spain. However, challenges such as water shortages and late-season tomato leafminer attacks resulted in only average yields last year, noted Vestaron.

“SPEAR LEP’s proven peptide-based technology empowers farmers to protect their crops while supporting biodiversity and environmental health,” said Juan Estupinan, Vestaron CEO and president. “We are actively pursuing full approval of SPEAR LEP in Europe and expanding our pipeline of novel bioinsecticides to meet global agricultural needs.”

Vestaron is partnering with Lainco, a Spanish company with a 90-year history of specialization in the development, manufacture, and commercialization of agrochemicals around Europe.