Import with Bio Suisse › News and updates

News and updates for Importers

Keep up to date and do not miss out on any important information. As an Importer, it is really important to keep abreast of the latest developments: this is the only way you can make sure that your products meet the exacting requirements of Bud certification.

Updates to spinosad use on BIOSUISSE ORGANIC (BSO) operations

The use of spinosad is criticised because of the risk it poses to bees and other beneficial insects.

The following increased restrictions regarding the use of spinosad apply to all Bio Suisse operations outside of Switzerland (BSO operations) with effect from 1 January 2024:

  • No use in cereals, legumes, oilseeds and sugar beet
  • No use in the following special crops: lamb’s lettuce, other lettuces, rocket and all types of baby leaf lettuce

As the use of spinosad is permitted according to the EU directive on organic production, Bio Suisse has compiled an information note with all important details for BSO operations and inspection bodies. It also specifies Bio Suisse’s motives for the restrictions and specific applications as well as empirical values from Swiss Bud operations.

Information note on the use of spinosad

Additional tests required for products from India

All products from India (except frozen and canned fruit) and associated finished products must be tested for the following parameters for marketing under the Bud label (see newsletter 3/2020 and import manual, chapter 7, pages 15–16):

Ethylene oxide (sum of ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol, expressed as ethylene oxide)

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