Eden Research PLC said Tuesday that it has applied for approval of its product Ecovelex in the EU, and also plans to apply for a licence in the UK.

The Abingdon, England-based company, which develops and supplies sustainable solutions for crop protection, animal health and consumer products, is applying for authorisation of Ecovelex, with Corteva Agriscience Inc as distribution partner.

Ecovelex is a product for the seed treatment market and is intended to replace conventional chemicals banned in the EU and UK. It provides an unpleasant taste or odour that repels birds, keeping seeds intact and not affecting birds.

Eden has developed Ecovelex with Corteva Agriscience over the past three years and is confident that the product will be useful for farmers looking to meet consumer demand for more sustainable farming.

The approval of Ecovelex is likely to take some time. An evaluation by Austria, acting as interzonal rapporteur, will take between 18 and 24 months, after which each EU member state will endorse the authorisation or ask for more information.

“Eden’s collaboration with Corteva Agriscience over the past few years has been very productive, and I am pleased that the first real commercial benefits from these activities are within reach,” Chief Executive Officer Sean Smith said.

Eden Research shares were trading 0.6% higher at 3.47 pence apiece in London on Tuesday afternoon.