NFU submits revised application for emergency use of neonicotinoid seed treatments

Systemic insecticides, of which neonicotinoids are the most prominent class, are commonly used as seed dressings
Systemic insecticides, of which neonicotinoids are the most prominent class, are commonly used as seed dressings

The NFU has submitted its revised application for the emergency use of neonicotinoid seed treatments for a more targeted area of the oilseed rape crop in England.

The application looks again at AHDB data showing cabbage stem flea beetle pressure across the country.

This follows Defra rejecting an emergency application in May. The NFU urged the government to give the green light for growers to use neonicotinoid seed treatments on oilseed rape this autumn.

The NFU’s application was for a limited proportion of the oilseed rape crop in England and was meant to be specifically targeted to the fields at greatest risk from CSFB.

This time, the NFU has made some key changes to its application to answer questions from the Expert Committee on Pesticides and demonstrate to Defra that the application is limited and controlled.

NFU Vice President Guy Smith said: "I cannot overstate how vital neonicotinoid seed treatments are for protecting crops facing pressure from cabbage stem flea beetle.

"I am quite convinced that if next autumn we have a difficult establishment window for oilseed rape then many farmers are going to lose their crops without neonicotinoids.

"Evidence from research institutions such as Rothamsted clearly shows we have an increasing pyrethroid resistance problem in pests and this is well-evidenced with cabbage stem flea beetle.

"Farmers cannot control the pest in areas with high resistance without these critical seed treatments.

"Continued resistance to pyrethroids just isn’t sustainable for farm businesses."