Key Takeaways
- Vestaron Crop Protection has obtained its fourth Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) in Greece for SPEAR LEP to control Tuta absoluta in tomatoes.
- Additional EUAs have been approved in Italy (for olives) and Portugal (also for tomatoes), reflecting growing regulatory acceptance.
- These 120-day authorizations grant growers short-term access to bioinsecticides amid rising resistance to conventional chemical controls.
- EU grower organizations played a key role in advocating for these approvals by demonstrating urgent pest control needs.
- SPEAR LEP offers a novel mode of action and is positioned as a sustainable alternative for integrated pest management (IPM) programs.
Vestaron Gains Regulatory Traction with SPEAR LEP EU Approvals
Vestaron Crop Protection has secured Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for its peptide-based bioinsecticide SPEAR LEP in Greece, Italy, and Portugal, marking a significant regulatory milestone for the company’s European market expansion. The product has now been approved for use in two crops—tomatoes and olives—across four European countries, in response to growing pest resistance and the limited availability of effective alternatives.
The most recent EUA, granted in Greece, allows the use of SPEAR LEP on tomatoes to combat Tuta absoluta (tomato leafminer) through November 19. In Italy, SPEAR LEP is authorized through October 8 for the control of Prays oleae (olive moth) in olives, and in Portugal, its use on tomatoes remains valid until October 21.
Grower Demand and Regulatory Support Drive Approvals
Vestaron attributes the successful EUA approvals to close collaboration with European grower groups, who advocate for specific pest control needs with national regulators. These organizations provide field data and pest pressure assessments to justify the temporary authorization of products not yet fully registered in the EU.
“Vestaron is proud to respond to the urgent call from growers in Europe for effective, sustainable pest control solutions,” said Juan Estupinan, President and CEO of Vestaron. “These EUAs underscore our dedication to delivering innovative biopesticides with a new mode of action that provide environmentally friendly and reliable protection for tomato and olive crops.”
SPEAR LEP: A Sustainable Option Amid Shrinking Chemical Arsenal
As resistance builds to conventional insecticides, EU growers are seeking new integrated pest management (IPM) tools. SPEAR LEP offers a novel mode of action, designed to target pests like Tuta absoluta and Prays oleae while maintaining a strong safety profile for humans and non-target organisms.
The EUAs, typically valid for 120 days, are used to temporarily permit the use of unregistered pesticides in response to urgent threats. For Vestaron, these approvals represent not only a path to wider market entry, but also validation of its biopesticide as a scalable solution for sustainable agriculture.
Vestaron Expands Ahead of Schedule in the EU Market
The recent authorizations place Vestaron ahead of its projected timeline for EU expansion. The company continues to position SPEAR LEP as a viable tool for growers balancing environmental compliance, pest control efficacy, and crop yield protection.
Vestaron Corporation
Vestaron Corporation is a crop protection company developing peptide-based insecticides inspired by the venom of spiders and other animals. Its products are designed to be effective while remaining safe for pollinators, beneficial insects, and biodiversity.
Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, and founded in 2005, Vestaron’s SPEAR® LEP insecticide has been used on over 650,000 acres and was recently approved for emergency use in Europe. In 2024, the company’s second product, BASIN®, received EPA approval. Vestaron is recognized by the Crop Science Awards, EPA’s Green Chemistry Challenge, and the Global CleanTech 100 Hall of Fame.
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