At the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing, we have prepared the List of Approved Plant Protection Products (PPPs) for hop protection in Slovenia for 2026. The list includes all PPPs that are authorised for use on hops in Slovenia and for which maximum residue limits (MRLs) are established for Europe, the USA, and Japan. We recommend that, before you start using PPPs in hops, you agree in detail with your hop buyer on any additional restrictions that may apply.
When using an individual PPP, strictly follow the instructions for use, which—besides the dose and the maximum number of applications per year—also specify the pre-harvest interval (PHI) and the buffer zones from first- and second-order waters. If possible, considering the mode of action of each active substance (given in the fourth column of each table – FRAC/IRAC classification), choose a different active substance or product than the one you used in the previous year. In this way, we reduce the rate at which harmful organisms develop resistance to specific active substances.
For PPPs with a prescribed buffer zone of more than 20 m, you may reduce the safety distance accordingly, in line with the registration decision for the individual product, by using Agrotop TD nozzles that reduce drift by 90%, by applying correct PPP application technique along field edges (one-sided air shut-off of the fan), and by taking climatic conditions at the time of spraying into account.
When spraying hop yards, strictly comply with the new Rules on the Use of Plant Protection Products (Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 73/25), which have been in force since 11 October 2025.
The list of PPPs authorised for use in hops has not changed significantly in 2026, but it does bring two important new developments. The Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection (UVHVVR) has issued emergency authorisations in hop production for:
- the systemic fungicide Fonganil (metalaxyl-M) for controlling the primary infection of hop downy mildew, and
- the systemic insecticide/acaricide Movento 100 SC (spirotetramat) for controlling hop aphid and hop mite.
We still face restrictions in hops regarding the use of certain active substances because export tolerances or MRLs for hops have not been established for some global markets. Thus, the use of the acaricide Kanemite SC (a.s. acequinocyl) remains prohibited if hops are exported to China.
The use of the fungicides Folpan 80 WDG and Folpan Gold is also subject to many limitations, as the MRL for the active substance folpet in the USA is only 120 ppm, whereas Europe allows 400 ppm. In addition, the active substance folpet must not be present in hops intended for export to Korea.
The active substance milbemectin still has no established export tolerances for the US market, so the use of Milbeknock acaricides is restricted. Consult your hop buyer in advance regarding any potential use of the active substance milbemectin.
Plant protection products in hops 2026 in Slovenia (2026 – in English): docx [63 kB], pdf [221 kB].