France - Plans to ease pesticide ban for sugar beet to curb crop losses

07.08.2020 761 views
The French government will propose lifting a ban on certain pesticides blamed for harming bees to protect sugar beet crops that have been ravaged by insects this year, the agriculture ministry said on Thursday. The government plans to support a legislative amendment in parliament later this year to exempt sugar beet for up to three years from a general ban on neonicotinoids, the ministry said in a statement following a meeting with sugar industry representatives. Sugar beet growers blame the ban on the neonicotinoid group of crop chemicals for insect attacks that could decimate yields this year and say this further threatens the French sugar sector after a price slump in recent years already led to factory closures. “French sugar beet producers are facing an unprecedented crisis: the jaundice virus transmitted by aphids has developed massively across France’s growing regions and is going to impact heavily sugar beet production,” the ministry said.
In addition to the proposed re-authorisation of neonicotinoid pesticides for sugar beet in time for next year’s spring planting, the ministry said 5 million euros ($5.9 million) would be offered to support research into alternatives to neonicotinoids. Farmers say outlawing these pesticides for sugar beet is not relevant to efforts to protect bees as the crop does not flower. They also blame the French authorities for applying a blanket ban on neonicotinoids whereas European Union regulations allow for exemptions. The ministry said the exemption for sugar beet would only apply to pre-treated seeds, with field-spraying of neonicotinoids to remain banned. For crop losses this year, which farmers say could reach 50% in the worst cases, the government will offer compensation to growers, the ministry added.
istanbul escort şişli escort tbilisi escort şişli escort şişli escort maslak escort istanbul escort beşiktaş escort taksim escort izmir escort ümraniye escort mecidiyeköy escort şişli escort
29.04.2026

USA - Congress considers farm bill as farmers are pinched by rising costs

A sweeping law that governs crop insurance, conservation programs, and nutrition assistance is up at one of the toughest moments for farmers in recent memory.

29.04.2026

India - Nor’westers wreak havoc across north Bengal, normal life disrupted

Nor’westers wreaked havoc in different districts of north Bengal late on Tuesday night. Trees were uprooted, the electric supply was affected, along with standing crops. Many areas also witnessed waterlogging.

29.04.2026

Ethiopia opens insurance sector to foreign players

National Bank of Ethiopia unveils draft law for independent regulator and foreign entry.

29.04.2026

India - Fruit growers submit 14-point memorandum to Union Minister

Fruit growers of Kashmir have petitioned Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan seeking implementation of Crop Insurance Scheme for the horticulture industry, imposition of over 100 per cent import duty on American and European apples, and reintroduction of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), according to a 14-point memorandum submitted by Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGCDU).

29.04.2026

Philippines - SEARCA, EcoSecurities, UPLBFI boost PCIC capacity for data-driven corn insurance

SEARCA, in partnership with EcoSecurities and the University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation Inc. (UPLBFI), conducted a two‑day capacity‑building workshop to strengthen the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation’s (PCIC) capabilities in developing data‑driven, climate‑resilient agricultural insurance products.

29.04.2026

India - MLA TN Mannen launches community piggery project in Mokokchung

A community-based piggery project aimed at boosting rural livelihoods was launched at Senden Salang in Kobulong under the Mokokchung district on Wednesday.

28.04.2026

Philippines seeks 500 million USD for engineered bamboo development

The project is currently at the concept stage, with feasibility studies expected to take five to six months and overall preparation about a year. Implementation could begin in 2027, pending loan approval.

28.04.2026

Insurance compensation of 186,000 manats paid to tobacco farmers in Azerbaijan

To date, 186,000 manats of insurance compensation have been paid to farmers and farms in the tobacco industry in Azerbaijan.