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In a move that has stirred controversy and opposition, the European Commission has banned the use of baking soda as a plant protection agent in winemaking. The decision, announced earlier this year, has left winemakers scrambling to find alternative solutions, with many criticizing the EU for the ban.

For years, winemakers have relied on baking soda as a cheap and environmentally friendly solution to combat powdery mildew, a common problem in vineyards. However, the EU's decision to prohibit its use has left them with no choice but to resort to more expensive alternatives.

The main component of baking soda, sodium bicarbonate, is no longer allowed as a plant protection agent in winemaking. Winemakers are currently using Natrisan, a more expensive product that contains the same active ingredient as baking soda. The increased cost of plant protection has added to the burdens faced by winemakers, who are already grappling with sales declines, US tariffs, labor shortages, and climate change.

The ban on baking soda as a plant protection agent in viticulture has also been criticized for being counterproductive and harmful to the industry. Some politicians and industry leaders argue that the EU's decision to require the use of a more expensive product is unnecessary and detrimental to winemakers. George Stavrakis, an editor, has called for an immediate change to the ban in favor of winemakers.

The ban on baking soda as a plant protection agent is a decision made by the European Commission. The authority granting the approval for Natrisan as an alternative plant protection product to Backpfeiferkalk for winegrowers is the responsible official plant protection regulatory body in Germany, typically under the framework of the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL). The exact authority approving Natrisan specifically is not explicitly named in the search results.

The ban on baking soda as a plant protection agent in winemaking is a contentious issue that has sparked criticism from various sectors. Winemakers are not the only ones criticizing Brussels for the increased cost of plant protection. Politicians and the industry are also voicing their concerns, arguing that the EU's decision is harmful to the industry and counterproductive in the long run.

It remains to be seen whether the bureaucrats in Brussels will make a decision in favor of winemakers. In the meantime, winemakers are left to cope with the additional burden of using more expensive plant protection products. The hope is that the EU will reconsider its decision and find a way to support the industry, rather than hindering its growth.