UK: Neonicotinoid pesticide restrictions

On Friday 27 April 2018, the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed met to vote on further amending the conditions of approval for three neonicotinoid active substances, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam. These substances are used within many insecticide products, primarily as seed treatments.

Following conclusions delivered in a report by the European Food Safety Authority on 28 February, the committee voted to adopt restricting the three substances to greenhouse use only. All outdoor use, including seed-treatment, will be banned.

The adopted Commission proposals can be found via the following links:

•   clothianidin
•   thiamethoxam
•  imidacloprid

The timing of the implementation of the restrictions will be determined by the date of publication in the Official Journal which is anticipated shortly:

•    entry into force – 20 days after publication;
•    withdrawal of authorisation – no later than three months after entry into force;
•    expiry of use – no later than six months after entry into force;
•    marketing and use of outdoor seed – six months after entry into force.

CRD will publish the details of the changes to the authorisations on their website in due course.

As part of the AHDB SCEPTREplus crop protection research programme alternatives are being sought for the control of lettuce root aphid, which is currently controlled by neonicotinoid seed treatments. The trial will take place in 2018, with any promising products taken forward as part of the AHDB Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use programme to secure approval for growers.

Further information can be found on the EC website.