A renewed application for a temporary exemption for neonicotinoids in the Netherlands is submitted to the Ministry. This time with a more solid foundation, says Dirk de Lugt, chairman of Royal Cosun. The big question is whether the request can count on as much support as in France.
A majority of the French parliament supported the proposal on Tuesday, October 6 to grant a derogation for the use of seed coated with neonicotinoids. This does not mean that a temporary exemption in France is a fact, Dirk de Lugt explains. "A law has now been passed that makes derogation possible. This law must first be approved by the Senate and only then will the actual procedure start."
Nevertheless, sentiment in France is positive for the beet sector, the Cosun leader agrees. The signals are green to be able to use neonicotinoids again temporarily. A scenario that the beet sector in the Netherlands is also urging the government to adopt, especially because an uneven playing field is now emerging in Europe. But there are more arguments. Cosun, LTO, NAV, NAJK and BO Akkerbouw have collected these in their official application for derogation that was submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality this week.
New substantiation
"We also made this request 2 years ago," says De Lugt. "We have not only dusted off that application, we have also provided additional substantiation." According to him, on the one hand, this is about the urgency of the matter. On the other hand, it concerns new scientific research to strengthen the substantiation. Something that Minister of Agriculture Carola Schouten attaches great importance to, because safe use of neonicotinoids is a condition for her to grant a temporary exemption.
According to De Lugt, there is scientific evidence that this is possible. "We are continuing to work on collecting this." He is clear about the urgency for derogation in the Netherlands. "There is currently no adequate solution in beet cultivation to combat aphids and other insects. We are working hard on alternatives, but we think that this will take another 3 to 5 years."
Transition period
The new implementation program According to De Lugt, crop protection offers the possibility of introducing a transition period for resources. This allows, under certain conditions, an exemption for a maximum of 3 years. In the case of neonicotinoids, this would be a more than welcome solution for Dutch beet growers. "We are currently noticing a considerable loss of yield," says de Lugt.
"Minister Schouten made alternative resources available two years ago, including Batavia," De Lugt continues. "But in practice these lead to extra spraying. This causes higher environmental pressure and extra costs for the grower. These additional costs in Europe amount to €2 per hectare, according to calculations by CIBE, the European Organization of Beet Growers." And that's on top of the reduced yield that is equally visible.
Uneven playing field, no argument
These are arguments with which the sector hopes to convince the minister of the need for a temporary 'neonics exemption' in the Netherlands. De Lugt does not dare to predict whether it will be enough to make Schouten change his position. Earlier this week, the minister answered parliamentary questions from Helma Lodders about the neonics dossier. "It is a pity that she did not address the arguments that are important to us."
The minister has indicated that an uneven playing field in Europe is not part of the decision to grant a temporary exemption. And that surprises De Lugt. "At the time, a level playing field was an argument for the minister to support the ban on neonicotinoids in Europe." According to him, it is clear that there is now an uneven playing field. "60% of agricultural production in Europe is allowed to use neonicotinoids. In different proportions than before, often diluted or with fewer different substances, but still. We think that is a great shame."
Germany next?
The German agriculture minister is very keen on developments in France. It is therefore not inconceivable that the German beet sector will soon be able to return to neonicotinoids. "It is difficult to estimate what the Netherlands will do. The minister really relies on safe use as an important condition. We are convinced that this is possible and are working on the scientific substantiation to guarantee this." Substantiation that is less colored than the science provided in the development of the European ban on neonicotinoids.
If a derogation is not possible in the Netherlands, this will unfortunately not offer any new opportunities for sales, according to De Lugt. "Sugar that is free of neonicotinoids? Customers do not respond to this. All efforts in the field of sustainability together are appreciated, and there are many. For customers it is especially important to reduce the carbon footprint. An additional charge specifically for However, neonics-free sugar is not included."