Bayer’s Movento Regulatory Status in Europe and its Potential Implications for Growers in the U.S.
Suterra
Mar 14, 2025 2:30:00 PM

Bayer recently announced its decision not to seek renewal for the insecticide Movento® (spirotetramat) in the European Union (EU). Citing challenges related to meeting evolving regulatory standards and safety concerns, Bayer’s decision highlights the increasing scrutiny surrounding agricultural chemistries globally. While this decision is specific to the EU regulatory bodies, it may predict future implications for U.S. growers who depend on Movento and similar tools to protect their crops.
Movento, introduced by Bayer in 2008, is a systemic insecticide. It has been a valued tool for growers managing sap-feeding pests such as mealybugs, scales, aphids, and whiteflies. When applied, the product’s active ingredient, spirotetramat, travels through the xylem and phloem of plants. Its lipid biosynthesis inhibitor mode of action affects pests that ingest treated plant tissue. For citrus, grapes, vegetables, and other high-value crops, Movento’s role has been significant. It is widely used for pest control and is often used within an integrated pest management (IPM) program.
European pesticide regulations have become increasingly stringent in recent years, driven by concerns regarding environmental, human, and animal health impacts. Specific concerns regarding Movento were centered around its potential risks to aquatic organisms and pollinators despite its long-standing reputation for safety when used as directed.
This regulatory situation highlights the complexity of maintaining product registrations not just in the EU but globally. Evolving policies have posed challenges for many agrochemical companies, leading to the withdrawal of numerous active ingredients from the market.
Although Bayer’s decision currently applies exclusively to the EU, it raises questions about the future of Movento use in other regions, including the United States. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains its own regulatory standards, which differ significantly from those of the EU, but regulatory trends may have trickle-down effects. If an agricultural chemistry fails to be renewed in Europe due to potential health concerns, it’s fair to speculate that the United States may at some point ask for review and additional data.
With fewer chemical tools available, reliance on fewer modes of action increases the risk of pesticide resistance. In the wake of this situation, U.S. growers should plan to diversify their pest control strategies by integrating mating disruption, cultural practices, biological controls, and alternative chemistries. For pests such as vine mealybug, the preventative mechanism of mating disruption is a clear solution in the present to manage the regulatory realities of the future.
Suterra’s regulatory team is dedicated to managing product registrations worldwide. We have observed that decisions in one geography may shape the policies and practices in another. As a global entity, we will continue to monitor these trends and adapt to evolving regulatory landscapes. Our mating disruption solutions are safe for human and animal health and the environment and are consistently authorized by regulatory agencies worldwide.
Mating disruption is species-specific and based on an innate biological behavior, so it is highly unlikely to experience regulatory challenges now or in the future.
To speak to one of our regulatory experts, contact us here.