Institut für nationale und internationale Angelegenheiten der Pflanzengesundheit
Sulphuryldiflouride (SO2F2 - abbreviated SF) is considered a substance with climate-damaging potential, which was initially intended as a substitute for the application of agents containing methyl bromide. Methyl bromide, for which a phase-out was agreed in 2005 under the Montreal Convention, is still used internationally, with some exceptions such as quarantine treatments and critical uses. But not in the EU, where it is not approved as an active substance. Furthermore, its marketing and use has been banned under Regulation 1005/2009/EC, with the exception of any 120-day emergency authorisations, since 18 March 2010 at the latest (EU 2009). SF was approved in 2011 as part of a gap indication for the phytosanitary treatment of round wood exports in Germany. This approval was based on relatively low log export figures. Prolonged droughts between 2017 and 2020 and the associated mass propagation of bark beetles have led to a massive volume of calamity wood, especially Norway spruce, a substantial part of which was and is intended for export to China. China's import requirements allow the wood to be fumigated with SF, but with requirement profiles that fall decisively short of the approval requirement both in the concentration-time product (CT product) and the temperatures for the area of application approved in Germany. In 2019, 204 tonnes of the gas were used for logs in the port of Hamburg alone, primarily during the main harvesting and export period in the winter months. However, the applicants have initial results that show that the fumigant is not sufficiently effective when temperatures fall below minimum levels during application. Therefore, there is an acute need for action and research in order to i) develop own efficacy data that allow for a proven and efficient application of the gas and ii) evaluate alternative treatment methods (e.g. alternative gases, application conditions) through own experimental studies on a laboratory scale and as close to practice and dedicated literature studies as possible.
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
