Crop protection firm Syngenta has written to merchants warning them that its fungicide Miravis Plus is being sold illegally in Ireland.

The communication, seen by the Irish Farmers Journal, calls on merchants to inform their farmer customers that Miravis Plus is not authorised for use on the island of Ireland.

“You are probably aware of the text / WhatsApp messages circulating among cereal growers, offering the Syngenta fungicide Miravis Plus for sale in Ireland,” the Syngenta communication states.

“Growers should be aware that while this product is authorised in Great Britain, it is illegal to use in Ireland (and Northern Ireland),” it adds.

“Use of this product [Miravis Plus] could have implications for cross compliance payments and the saleability and use of treated crops,” Syngenta warns.

The recommendations for the use of Miravis Plus in the text and WhatsApp messages were entirely inappropriate for crops grown in this country, Syngenta maintained.

The active ingredient in Miravis Plus – pydiflumetofen (Adepidyn) – does not have approval in the EU and the product is not authorised for use as a consequence.

The plant protection firm claimed it was working with the “authorities to disrupt the importation, sale, and use of this product in Ireland”.

The Irish Farmers Journal has seen a message which offers the fungicide for sale and claims it can be invoiced “in euro as straw. Or as RoundUp and charge VAT”.

Although there was intense speculation about an investigation into the use of Miravis Plus by a small number of cereal growers, the Department of Agriculture refused to comment.

However, the Department insisted that it “takes the sale and use of unregistered plant protection products (PPPs) extremely seriously”.

“Such products may pose serious risks to human health, the environment, and the integrity of our agricultural and food systems,” the Department spokesperson stated.

“A range of powers are available where a non-compliance is identified by authorised officers. These include fixed payment notices, issuing of compliance notices, court proceedings and/or penalties to payments under the Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme,” the spokesperson explained.