Agrigem Forestry

Agrigem Announced as an Exclusive Distributor of Lanzarta

We are delighted to announce that Agrigem has been selected as an exclusive distributor of Lanzarta – the new solution for controlling Hylobius abietis (large pine weevil) in Sitka spruce and other pine woodland.

The launch of Lanzarta is a significant moment for the UK forestry sector. Emergency authorisation of the product will enable forestry managers to prevent the damaging effects of the Hylobius weevil, while reducing restocking cost and time, and creating a more consistent woodland stand.

Agrigem will be working closely with all its forestry customers - including Forestry England, Forestry and Land Scotland, and Natural Resource Wales - to introduce Lanzarta, supporting the health of our forests and the broader industry. The company’s heritage, expertise, and distributor profile mean they are well placed to deliver this important new product.

Agrigem’s Forestry Account manager Lauren Barker says: “This announcement today will come as a welcome relief to the UK forestry sector. Hylobius weevils cause significant damage to spruce, so the emergency authorisation will help protect this year’s natural and replanted saplings – giving them time to establish sufficiently. 

"The new product is easy and precise to use and binds well to bark – giving long-lasting protection against feeding pests. I’ll be discussing use and application with all my customers in the coming weeks and look forward to seeing healthier woodland growth this year.”

Sitka spruce accounts for an estimated 50% of the entire £2bn UK forest industry trade, with approximately 35 million Sitka trees planted each year. The lack of treatment options in recent seasons has left much of this new planting dangerously exposed to Hylobius weevil feeding damage – leading to reforestation losses. 

Emergency Authorisation of Lanzarta will enable its sale between 15th April and 13th August 2025 and permits trees to be treated once per season in a forestry setting between 15th April and 30th September 2025.

The active ingredient in Lanzarta only affects insect pests that physically feed on treated plants, stopping further damage and leading to their death. Lanzarta has a positive toxicological and environmental profile for non-target organisms and biodiversity in woodland.

Good news for the forestry sector – a new product to address the serious issues of Hylobius abietis (large pine weevil) is nearly here.

Six years in development, the new product - code-named A23473A - has been shown to be highly effective in reducing levels of Hylobius damage.

Extensive development, research initiatives, and registration trials have created a strong technical understanding of its role in an integrated control strategy for Hylobius.

The UK registration process is due for evaluation in November 2024, with the launch of an easy-to-use liquid-formulation product following the outcome of the regulatory process.

Talk to us about A23473A today:

• Visit us at APF - stand C10b
• Email: lauren.barker@agrigem.co.uk
• Call: 01522 246491

We'll be exhibiting at APF this year, taking place between 19th and 21st September at Ragley Estate, Warwickshire.The APF Show is the largest forestry, woodland, arboriculture, fencing, trees and timber trade show in the UK. We'll be one of 320 exhibitors showcasing our products and services!

Come along and see us on stand C10b, chat about our forestry services, watch a drone demo or talk in depth with our speciliasts on a range of topics from hylobius to biological controls.

Get in touch if you'd like to book a meeting with me or reserve your space at one of our drone demos. These are taking place at 11am (spraying) and 2pm (spreading) each day and last approximately one hour. We're also giving away a Berthoud Vermorel 3000 Electric Sprayer in our APF prize draw! If you haven't booked your ticket to the event yet, you can do so on the APF website.

June marks the start of a high-risk period for oaks, with the arrival of non-native oak processionary moths. 

The caterpillars hatch in spring and go through several instars, moving down the tree as they grow - feeding on the leaves, weakening and harming tree growth and leaving oaks exposed to stress and disease. The Forestry Commission has issued a public warning to avoid contact and report sightings. Get in touch to discuss caterpillar control, damage mitigation and prevention strategies.

The RHS has issued a warning that 2024 could be a bumper year for box tree caterpillar moth, with five times the number of reports of the insects compared with the same period last year.

Lauren advises to inspect plants in early spring for signs of eggs underneath leaves. She says: “Remove caterpillars by hand where possible to avoid spread and keep an eye on the temperature – caterpillars will start to transform into moths and lay even more eggs when temperatures climb. Use a box tree moth trap to measure extent of infestation. DiPel and Decis Protech can be effective in controlling the caterpillars."

Get in touch with Lauren for more information.