Doc0-1700 Scottish Government Debate: Agriculture Current Challenges
Facing the Sectors and the Opportunities

 

 

As discussed, here is the ?Pesticides? brief.

 

 
 

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PESTICIDES CURRENT ISSUES
Neonicotinoids 

The European Commission (EC) restricted the use of three neonicotinoid
insecticides on crops with flowers attractive to bees from December 2013, as there
was insufficient information available to fully describe the risk to pollinators from
neonicotinoid exposure in the field.

The European Food Safety Authority put out a call for new research into the
use of neonicotinoids and their possible effects on bees, with a closing date of .30
September, The EC has still to inform Member States of a timetable for publication
of the results of the review of new data. The review will determine whether or not the
restrictions are lifted.

Defra Ministers recently approved an application for an emergency
authorisation from the NFU for the small supply of neonicotinoid treated oilseed rape
(OSR) seeds. This small supply represents 5% of the English OSR cropped area.

3?s Scotland differs to that of England, where oilseeds account for a greater
proportion of their cropped area, and the warmer climate leads to greater pest
prevalence.

Officials at SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture) are conducting
a survey of oilseed rape growers this year to assess how they are coping with the
current restrictions.

. Preliminary results indicate that the impact of the restrictions on Scottish
oilseed crops has been far less than encountered by growers in England. However,
SASA continue to monitor the situation.

Potential Loss of Pesticides - Endocrine Disruptors

Pesticides were previously assessed by the risk they posed in terms of their
intended use. EU regulations now mean that a pesticide is assessed using hazard
criteria, and will not be approved for use in Europe, even though the risk assessment
might show that it'could be used safely.

Europe has identified 7 hazard criteria, including endocrine disruptors (EDs),
which disrupts the normal functioning of endocrine glands. It is working on a
definition of EDs. Analysis suggests being classed as an ED is? the hazard category
likely to be responsible for the greatest loss of pesticides. Around 40 pesticides
might be classified as EDs. 

3> Analysis by SASA and SRUC, shared with the industry, shows that the main
impact in Scotland is likely to be for our fruit and vegetable growers. This is due to
their heavy reliance on the pesticides likely to be classed as EDs, importance of
produce quality, and lack of alternative ways to control pests and diseases.