Chemical company BASF, Ludwigshaven, Germany, has just acquired a package of agricultural chemicals from Bayer Crop Science including the insecticide fipronil. Bayer supplied granular formulations containing 2% fiponil in Italy under the name 'Regent G' registered on various agricultural and horticultural crops (tomato, aubergine) but not for ornamental horticultural crops. The active ingredient is effective as an insecticide against vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus). However, Certis Europe (part of Bayer Crop Science) has produced a new highly effective formulation with a low dose rate of 0.1% active ingredient (1g per 1kg of clay granules) called Vi-Nil. Incorporated into the compost, Vi-Nil acts as a preventative treatment by binding onto the plant roots. The vine weevil larvae rapidly die after contacts with the granules or after eating the roots. The substance persists in the compost for at least two seasons, giving long term total control and yet has low mammalian toxicity and at such low rates of use it is also environmentally acceptable. Great Britain is the first European Country to approve of the use of Vi-Nil on ornamental crops and it is hoped that this will quickly extend to other countries, given its importance. Vine weevil larvae pose a big problem to container Nursery-stock production in particular. Following emergence from the eggs, the larvae start feeding on the fine fibrous roots. As the larvae develop they can devour larger roots and have the potential to attack and girdle the base of the stem. The larvae persist in the compost over winter and in glasshouses they may be active all year round. Fipronil was originally discovered in Great Britain by Rhone Poulenc. Contact: Norbert Lemken, Tel/fax 0049 2173 383125 or Vincent. Lefevre du Prey (vincent.lefebvre-du-prey@bayercropscience.com). Bayer Crop Science AG. E-mail: info@bayercropscience.com www.bayercropscience.com