Farmers urged to act in watershed year for crops

The European Commission has tabled proposals that would effectively ban all uses of three neonicotinoids – clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam – on outdoor crops.

Speaking at this week’s Cereals event in Lincolnshire, Dr Chris Hartfield, the National Farmers’ Union’s (NFU) acting chief science and regulatory affairs adviser, said such a ban would affect around 1m hectares of arable crops, including cereals and sugar beet, where there are no effective alternatives to neonicotinoid seed treatments, and would also affect a significant area of vegetable crops.

“We have a small window of opportunity following the General Election before serious discussions happen on this subject in Brussels,” Dr Hartfield said. “We need to use this time to reinforce the fact that there is still no clear evidence that neonicotinoids are causing widespread declines in bee populations and that a blanket ban, as well as being unjustified scientifically, would also have a significant impact on sustainable productive agriculture in the UK.

“It’s important MPs, as well as MEPs, know what impact a ban would have so they can make Defra aware of the need for the UK to vote against this proposal.”

Decisions are expected from Brussels on the definition of ‘endocrine disruptors’, a proposal that would see the use of all neonicotinoids banned for outdoor use and the reauthorisation of glyphosate before the end of the year.

Guy Smith, the NFU’s vice president, said: “This year looks like being a watershed year for classical chemistry for arable farms with these three decisions on the horizon from Europe.

“A poor decision on endocrine disruptor definition could see an end to the availability of around 26 active ingredients.”

Mike Hambly, the union’s combinable crops board chairman, added: “Access to plant protection products is vital. Arable farmers need to be able to manage risk and remain competitive.”

NFU president Meurig Raymond, also speaking at Cereals, derided how the industry was little closer to knowing what future Brexit holds for farm businesses, a year on from the EU referendum and ahead of the forthcoming commencement of formal negotiations with EU leaders.