UK: Industry flags pesticide loss concerns

Study for Defra calculates that 19 active ingredients may be lost by 2020 after EU regulations change approvals process.

EU revocation will have a major impact on horticulture.

New EU regulations that came into force last week could result in 19 active ingredients in crop protection products used by the horticulture industry becoming unavailable.

The regulations, EC 1107/2009, have changed the criteria by which the ingredients of pesticides are approved.

An updated analysis of the impact of the legislation by ADAS for Defra shows that 19 active ingredients may be lost by 2020. This is less severe than originally feared, when worst case scenarios suggested that 80 per cent of pesticides could be lost.

The report recognises that there is still some uncertainty over the impact of changes to approvals legislation because the final wording has not been agreed.

The study shows "the importance of mitigation measures in protecting production from the impacts of reduced pesticide availability", according to Defra. It estimates the cost to growers without such measures, with the biggest being as a result of poorer weed control.

Stockbridge Technology Centre science director Martin McPherson said the report raised concern about the list of actives identified as "at risk". He added: "The report recognises that there are still uncertainties with the new legislative process in the EU.

"The main message from a horticultural perspective is that while decisions on pesticide revocation will be largely carried out in relation to broad acre crops, horticulture relies heavily on agricultural approvals. The wider implications need to be considered carefully otherwise we will be in danger of exporting our industry outside Europe."

Industry representatives raise concerns over continued legislation uncertainty

Paul Chambers, plant health adviser, NFU

"The new EU legislation is going to have an impact. The potential losses are large and there is a huge degree of uncertainty in the process. We've been working with worst case scenario assumptions and it probably won't be as bad as that, but some products are likely to be lost when we are already at the bare bones. It shows that there is a real problem here."

 
Tim Briercliffe, business development manager, HTA

"It is important that the Government continues to minimise the barriers to pesticide registration and use and particularly avoids additional legislation that will make it more difficult to use pesticides on ornamentals. It could do more to incentivise the development of non-pesticide products including biologically based materials."

Graham Ward, Stockbridge Technology Centre

"We are approaching the edge of a cliff and we are all going over. The removal of risk out of the system was a disaster."

Active substances expected losses
- Bifenthrin
- Esfenvalerate
- Bitertanol
- carbendazim
- Flusilazole
- Quinoxyfen
- Cyproconazole
- Epoxiconazole
- Fenbuconazole
- Mancozeb
- Maneb
- Metconazole
- Tebuconazole
- Flumioxazine
- Glufosinate ammonium
- Linuron
- Pendimethalin
- Amitrole