AIC supports emergency authorisation of Cruiser SB
The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) supports the decision by the Secretary of State to issue an emergency authorisation for the use of Cruiser SB (thiamethoxam) on sugar beet seed for 2021.
Hazel Doonan, AIC’s Head of Agronomy and Crop Protection Sector, says, “The decision taken by Minister Eustice to issue an emergency authorisation for the use of Cruiser SB in sugar beet crops in England in 2021 was reached based on the advice of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides (ECP), and Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser. They considered that the strict conditions for use that the emergency authorisation requires, has minimised the threat to bees and the environment, and the risk was therefore acceptable.
“Since the restrictions on the use of neonicotinoid insecticide seed treatments for aphid control in beet crops in 2018, many EU member states have had no other option than to seek emergency authorisations for use of these seed treatments until alternative cost-effective solutions can be developed.”
Last season, despite the use of integrated pest management measures, some farmers had significant losses in their sugar beet crops due to virus yellows. The mild winter of 2019 and the warm spring in 2020 was ideal for the carry over and movement of aphids carrying the virus to beet crops.
“The emergency authorisation will enable farmers and agronomists to manage virus yellows more effectively in high-risk sugar beet crops in England until solutions for the control of virus yellows in all beet crops across the UK is found,” explains Mrs Doonan.
ENDS
About AIC
As the UK agricultural supply industry's leading trade association, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) represents businesses in key sectors within the supply chains that feed the nation.
Its Member businesses supply UK farmers and growers with the animal feed, fertiliser, seed, crop protection products, trusted advice and quality services that are essential to producing food, as well as trading crops and commodities across the globe.
Formed in October 2003 by a merger of three trade associations, today AIC has over 230 Members in the agri-supply trade and represents £17.8 billion* turnover at farmgate.
AIC works on behalf of its Members by lobbying policymakers and stakeholders, delivering information, providing trade assurance schemes, and offering technical support.
AIC Services manages a range of services, including Trade Assurance Schemes and professional registers recognised by the UK Government as essential means to underpin feed and food safety alongside fertiliser security.
These schemes and professional registers include:
- Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC)
- Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS)
- Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS)
- European Seed Treatment Assurance (ESTA)
- Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS)
- Feed Adviser Register (FAR)
- Renewable Energy Directive (RED)
- Forage Assurance Scheme (FAA)
- AIC Services Palm Oil Credit Scheme (APOCS)
*According to a 2023 survey of AIC Members.
Press Contact
Wendy Ford, Communications Manager, AIC
+44 (0)1733 385230
[email protected]
