Syngenta withdraws request for neonicotinoid emergency use

Syngenta is withdrawing its request for the emergency use of neonicotinoid seed treatments on winter oilseed rape due to the lack of time before autumn drilling.

The group had asked Defra to grant permission to use its neonicotinoid insecticide seed treatment Cruiser where crops were deemed to be at risk of damage from pests such as cabbage stem flea beetle.

Neonicotinoid seed treatments were suspended for two years by Brussels earlier this year for use in open flowering crops such as oilseed rape amid concern that they may harm bee populations.

 “Whilst the Advisory Committee on Pesticides has indicated that the criteria for emergency use has been met, there has been insufficient time to conclude on the conditions for verifying and auditing planting locations which were specific to this limited use application,” the group said in a statement

When Syngenta made the application, it made clear that in order to supply the product to farmers and to ensure its effective stewardship, an approval from the government was required by the end of June.

The group added that it welcomed the fact that the UK government will be assessing the establishment of the crop in the UK this season in the first year in which growers will be unable to use the seed dressing.

Based on this assessment, Syngenta said it will consider making a new application for the 2015-16 season to ensure farmers have access to a technology which helps them to grow crops sustainably and which is safe for bees.

The group also said it welcomed the fact that the government’s opposition to the EU-wide restriction of neonicotinoid pesticides remains unchanged.