News Sugar beets
Neonics for German beets partially allowed
The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia will allow sugar beet seed treated with neonicotinoid thiamethoxam, part of the drug Cruiser, to be used for next year. There are, however, restrictions. Earlier, agriculture minister Julia Klöckner said that states should decide for themselves whether to grant an exemption.
With the exemption, Germany is the next major European country to allow neonicotinoids again, after France, among others, did this before. Dutch agriculture minister Carola Schouten was previously guided in this discussion by her German colleague. When she agreed with a ban in 2018, the Netherlands also went along. It is highly questionable whether the Netherlands will also receive an exemption. Previous requests for this have always come to nothing.
Exemption for 1 year
For now, only North Rhine-Westphalia has announced an emergency permit for neonics. This was reported by the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) on Monday 14 December. This authorization is valid until 30 April 2021 and only for the active substance thiamethoxam. This is used in the Cruiser 600 FS seed coating.
There are, however, restrictions. For example, a maximum of 40.000 hectares of seed coated with Cruiser can be sown in the west of North Rhine-Westphalia. This is a 'beet hot spot' along the Dutch border around the towns of Euskirchen, Jülich and Appeldorn. The German beet processor Pfeifer & Langen also has factories in these places. Damage caused by the beet yellowing virus due to the intensive cultivation, which makes this region eligible for an exemption.
No national exemption
The BVL expects other states to follow soon after the first exemption has been granted. Just last week, agriculture minister Julia Klöckner said that states should apply for a temporary exemption themselves if they deem it necessary. She sees nothing in a national emergency permit.
There are a number of additional requirements for the use of coated seed. For example, the dose of active ingredient has been reduced from 78 to 49,5 grams per hectare, plots must be closely monitored, beekeepers must be informed about its use and no flowering species that is attractive to bees may be grown as the next crop. An example of this is potatoes.
Research by EFSA
Meanwhile, EFSA is still investigating whether the granting of waivers is allowed. There are now 12 European Member States that have announced a partial or full exemption for neonicotinoids in sugar beet. The drugs have been banned in the EU for 3 years. This growing season in particular caused major damage to beet crops in France and Germany as a result of the yellowing virus. Damage from aphids and other insects, among other things, is also very noticeable in the Netherlands, which results in a reduction in yield.
Niels van der Boom
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