A neonicotinoid pesticide will be permitted for use on the 2024
sugar beet crop in England, only if there is a danger as
evidenced by an independent prediction of virus incidence of 65%
or more.
Emergency Authorisations for pesticides are only granted for a
limited period of time, in special circumstances where it is
necessary because of a danger that cannot be contained by any
other reasonable means, and the use is limited and
controlled.
Use of Cruiser SB will be permitted if levels of yellow virus are
predicted by an independent model to exceed a particular
threshold. If this threshold is not met, use of the product will
not be permitted.
This year’s threshold for use is at the highest level it has ever
been set. Even if the threshold is passed, further conditions
will be applied to minimise the risk to the environment.
This includes restrictions on the crops which farmers can plant
in subsequent years in any field where treated seed has been
used, and compliance with the stewardship scheme to treat and use
seed correctly and to monitor the level of neonicotinoids in the
environment.
The application of the neonicotinoid pesticide protects crops
against viruses to safeguard food production, while the threshold
attached to its application helps protect the wider
environment.
The government is committed to moving away from pesticide use and
is supporting innovative methods to support land farmers
effectively manage pests. Even if Cruiser SB were to be used on
every sugar beet field in England, the amount of active substance
would still be over 90% lower than the quantity
of neonicotinoids applied to crops in each of the years 2012
to 2016.
Sugar beet seedlings and young plants are vulnerable to feeding
by aphids which transmit viruses leading to reduced beet size and
lower sugar content. The viruses can reduce yields up to 50%,
impacting individual growers, domestic sugar production and an
industry which sustains almost 10,000 jobs across the
country.
More than half of the UK’s sugar comes from domestic production
and in 2020, 25% of the national sugar beet crop was lost,
costing £67 million of total economic loss across the
industry.
Farming Minister said:
We recognise the damaging impact that an outbreak of beet yellow
virus could have on farmer livelihoods. We therefore regard
issuing an emergency authorisation as a necessary and
proportionate measure.
The product can only be used if a threshold is met, and its use
will be strictly controlled. This decision is based on robust
scientific assessment and the risks have been evaluated very
carefully.
Sugar beet plants are harvested before they flower and do not
generally exude through leaves or stems. Given this, the sugar
beet crop itself is considered to be unattractive to bees, and
there is little risk arising from bees foraging on pollen and
nectar of the sugar beet crop.
The Government recently held a roundtable with members of the
British sugar industry and environmental organisations during
which the industry’s plan to move away from neonicotinoid use was
discussed. The Farming Minister urges the applicants and others
in the sector to drive forward these plans, including measures to
improve seed germination, so that their outputs can be
implemented in the field at pace.
The government has also set out actions to increase the use of
Integrated Pest Management in agriculture. This includes new paid
actions as part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive Scheme, such
as an option to move to insecticide-free farming.
These actions will support farmers to increase their use of
Integrated Pest Management solutions, thereby reducing the risks
associated with pesticides, combatting pesticide resistance, and
supporting sustainable agricultural productivity.
The Farming Minister considered advice on this application from
Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser, the Health and Safety
Executive, the independent UK Expert Committee on Pesticides and
economists.
The UK’s approach to emergency authorisations has not changed
following our departure from the EU and the overall ban on the
use of neonicotinoid pesticides remains in place.
Notes to Editors:
- To read the statement of reasons, visit: Neonicotinoid product as
seed treatment for sugar beet: emergency authorisation
application 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Defra approved an emergency authorisation for neonicotinoid
use in 2023 with a virus incidence threshold of 63% or above; in
2022 the virus incidence threshold was set at 19% or above.
- The decision applies to England only.
- Update March 2024: On 1 March we received the model’s
forecast for 2024, which predicted an incidence level of 83%.
This means that British Sugar will treat sugar beet seed with
Cruiser SB and distribute it to the growers who have ordered it
for use on this year’s sugar beet crop.
