The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has said it will continue the fight for evidence-based decisions as conclusion day for plant protection products approaches.
Three major decisions from Europe are to be concluded with the next six months that could have wide-ranging impacts on arable farmers.
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.
Speaking at Cereals 2017, NFU Vice President Guy Smith 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; the European Commission is proposing a ban on the use of neonicotinoids on all outdoor crops; and a decision on the reauthorisation of glyphosate is due by the end of the year.
“The NFU will continue to make the case for evidence-based decisions to be made in all three of these areas, and we will continue to work with our members to help them make the case to politicians and other decision makers about the importance of these products and to demonstrate the damage that bad decisions will have on farming and our food supply.”
'Access is vital'
Mike Hambly, NFU combinable crops board chairman, said access to plant protection products is vital.
“Arable farmers need to be able to manage risk and remain competitive and measures to maintain and improve crop protection are key to helping achieve this.
“These measures also include developing integrated pest management strategies to help mitigate problems, adapting farming systems to meet challenges, and investment in plant breeding to produce better, more resilient crops.
“We need to utilise all the crop protection tools available to us. Removing tools from our armoury raises the pressure on the ones we have left and increases the likelihood of resistance developing as we are forced to rely on a smaller range of products,” Mr Hambly said.
NFU's #GlyphosateIsVital social media campaign was launched in April. Farmers have taken to the internet to express their desire to keep access to glyphosate.
The union stated that many farms across the UK relies heavily on glyphosate to control weeds, manage harvests, and reduce grain drying costs.
