Brazilian federal prosecutors challenge remote pesticide prescriptions

Brazil’s Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) has formally recommended that the Federal Council of Agricultural Technicians (CFTA) immediately revoke provisions allowing the remote issuance of agronomic prescriptions. The move reflects growing regulatory scrutiny over practices seen as potentially compromising to environmental safety and public health.

At the center of the dispute is Resolution No. 64/2025, which, according to prosecutors, exceeds the council’s regulatory authority by conflicting with the country’s updated pesticide framework, notably Law No. 14,785/2023. The legislation—along with Decree No. 4,074/2002—requires that agronomic prescriptions be based upon prior on-site technical inspections.

Legal conflict and technical concerns

The MPF argues that remote prescriptions undermine a core legal requirement: a reliable, field-based diagnosis. Without an in-person visit, professionals cannot adequately assess critical variables, such as soil conditions, crop health, or environmental factors, including wind patterns—elements considered essential for the safe and effective use of crop protection products.

Federal prosecutor Enrico Rodrigues de Freitas, who signed the recommendation, stated that the absence of direct field evaluations may constitute technical negligence and could expose professionals to civil and even criminal liability.

The recommendation also highlights a regulatory inconsistency. While agricultural technicians were authorized under CFTA rules to issue prescriptions remotely, similar activities regulated by the Federal Council of Engineering and Agronomy (Confea) still require a physical presence—raising concerns about unequal standards across professional categories.

Evidence of irregular practices

The MPF’s position is supported by findings from the Secretariat of Agriculture of Rio Grande do Sul (Seapi), which identified patterns of issuance that are incompatible with legitimate technical practices.

Investigations revealed cases in which a single professional issued more than 15,000 prescriptions in one year—equivalent to over seven per hour. Authorities argue that such volumes make it impossible to conduct proper agronomic assessments, effectively reducing prescriptions to administrative formalities, rather than technical decisions.

Additional irregularities included prescriptions for crops with little or no commercial presence in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, such as coffee, cocoa, and cotton, further reinforcing concerns over the integrity of the system.

Regulatory pressure and next steps

The recommendation calls not only for the immediate suspension of remote prescription provisions, but also for explicit regulatory language mandating in-person technical inspections. It also proposes the implementation of retrospective audits covering the past two years, with disciplinary proceedings where violations are identified.

The president of the Federal Council of Agricultural Technicians has been given 10 days to respond to the recommendation. Should the council agree to comply, the required regulatory changes must be implemented within 30 days.

The case signals a broader tightening of oversight in Brazil’s crop protection regulatory environment, as authorities seek to reinforce compliance, ensure technical rigor, and mitigate risks associated with pesticide use in one of the world’s largest agricultural markets.