UK farmers have ‘deep concerns’ over potential EU neonicotinoid ban, survey shows

British arable farmers have deep concerns regarding the European Commission’s proposal to ban all outdoor uses of neonicotinoid seed treatments in the EU.

A new survey, commissioned by Bayer and carried out by the independent agricultural research agency Kynetec, showed that 60 percent of 1260 arable farmers surveyed used neonics [in 2017].

80 percent of those farmers believed that such a ban would have an impact on their day-to-day business.

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Decisions are expected from Brussels on proposals that would see the use of all neonicotinoids banned for outdoor use.

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The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has said it will continue the fight for evidence-based decisions as conclusion day for plant protection products approaches.

The NFU said farmers across the country have already suffered heavy losses through oilseed rape crop damage following previous restrictions to the availability of neonicotinoids.

A recent survey of 400 arable farmers who all grow winter oilseed rape (OSR) reports that 8.3 percent of the crop this year has failed.

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Neonics ban will ‘seriously impede ability’ to grow crops, survey shows