I have been contacted by a large number of constituents concerned about a decision by DEFRA to grant an emergency authorisation for the limited use of neonicotinoid seed treatment on this year’s sugar beet crop.
I want to reassure you that emergency authorisations for pesticides are used by countries across Europe and are only granted in exceptional circumstances where diseases or pests cannot be controlled by any other reasonable means. Pesticides can only be used where we judge there to be no harm to people and that they will not pose unacceptable risks to the environment. The temporary use of this product is strictly limited to a non-flowering crop and will be tightly controlled to minimise any potential risk to pollinators.
This decision follows an application made by British Sugar and the National Farmers Union to provide emergency protection against the viruses which has significantly impacted yields of the 2020 sugar beet crop while the beet industry develops alternative solutions.
Emerging sugar beet seedlings are vulnerable to predation by aphids which have the potential to spread beet yellows virus. Sugar beet crops have been severely affected and 2020 yields are forecast to be lost 24% on the previous year. 10 EU countries including Belgium, Denmark and Spain have granted emergency authorisations for neonicotinoid seed treatments since 2018. Under EU legislation Member States may grant emergency authorisations in exceptional circumstances. The UK’s approach to the use of emergency authorisations has not changed as a result of the UK’s exit from the EU.
This application is for the use of Syngenta’s Cruiser SB on the 2021 sugar beet crop for England only. The emergency authorisation is strictly limited and available for a maximum of 120 days. Sugar beet is a non-flowering crop that is only grown in the East of England.
This exceptional use of Syngenta’s Cruiser SB will be strictly controlled. Conditions of the authorisation include reduced application rate as well as a prohibition on any flowering crop being planted in the same field where the product has been used within 22 months of sugar beet and a prohibition on oilseed rape being planted with 32 months of sugar beet.
