How neonics ban will hit beet and cereal producers

摘要

Sugar beet yields could be slashed by up to 30% if a total ban on neonicoti-noid seed treatments is implemented, one expert believes, as forgotten diseases reappear in Britain's fields.Alan Dewar, independent pest specialist, believes "the writing is on the wall" for the three actives in question.Three neonicotinoids - thiamethoxam (contained in treatments such as Cruiser), imidacloprid, and clothianidin (in treatments such as Poncho Beta or Deter) are banned in the EU for use in oilseed rape and maize crops.However, there is a European Commission proposal for a blanket ban on these and a vote is due on this in 2018.