AIC to support legal cases on neonicotinoid ban

The Agricultural Industries Confederation has confirmed that it is seeking to back two crop science companies in their challenge in the European Court of Justice against the European Commission’s decision.

“The AIC Board has approved taking action to defend the points of principle which both cases brought by Bayer CropSciences and Syngenta involve,” said AIC Chief Executive David Caffall.

“We believe that we must defend the interests of our Members and their farming customers,” said Mr Caffall. “As far as we can see, the decision on neonicotinoids, was taken in breach of the Commission’s own agreed processes. If political intervention goes unchallenged on this occasion, then other vital technologies on which UK agribusiness and farming depends, along with innovative new technology, are under threat.

“We believe this is a threat to every sector of the supply industry.”

AIC has engaged lawyers and seeks to become an ‘intervener’ in the two actions.