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

07.08.2020 630 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
15.12.2025

India - Delayed crop loss survey keeps Cauvery delta farmers in limbo

Nearly 90,000 hectares of samba and thalady crops are submerged, raising fears for the next cultivation cycle.

15.12.2025

Romanian farmers to get financing support with €25 million EIB loan to Agricover Credit

Romanian farmers will be eligible for extra financing as a result of a €25 million loan that Agricover Credit IFN SA is receiving from the European Investment Bank (EIB). 

15.12.2025

UAE launches AI ecosystem to boost global agricultural resilience

The United Arab Emirates has launched an AI-powered agricultural ecosystem, partnering with global institutions to help farmers adapt to climate change and food security challenges.

15.12.2025

Bulgaria Opens €278M CAP Grant Calls for Farm Investments in Vulnerable Sectors

CAP Investment Support Calls Open in Bulgaria

15.12.2025

India - Maize Farmers in Bihar’s East Champaran Hit by Crop Diseases After Floods and Drought

Farmers in eastern Bihar say fungal and bacterial infections are damaging young maize plants, raising fears of yield losses after a season already disrupted by floods and drought. 

15.12.2025

Farmers’ Revolt in Greece Intensifies Amid State Repression

Greek farmers have escalated nationwide protests in December 2025, deploying thousands of tractors to block major highways, borders, ports, and even airports like Heraklion in Crete. 

14.12.2025

USA - USDA launches $700 million pilot to expand regenerative agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday unveiled a $700 million pilot program to help farmers adopt regenerative agriculture practices aimed at improving soil health, water quality and long-term farm productivity while strengthening the nation’s food supply.

14.12.2025

South Africa - Hail and flooding demand critical crop insurance safety net

A single storm can wipe out a season's work. With climate change creating new hail hotspots, as seen across four South African provinces recently, the threat is less predictable than ever.