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

07.08.2020 896 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
24.08.2026

Canada - Monette Farms restructuring update: Crop insurance dispute and U.S. land deal

Monette Farms is facing a previously unpublicized hurdle in its restructuring effort, as court documents show the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) seeking a payment of $1.9 million to maintain the large farm's 2026 crop insurance coverage in Saskatchewan.

24.08.2026

India - Sukhjinder Randhawa raises concerns over 73 lakh farmers leaving Crop Insurance Scheme, questions Centre

Senior Congress leader, Rajya Sabha MP and former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Monday questioned the Centre’s agricultural policies, citing a reported decline in enrolment under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and a sharp fall in cotton cultivation in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.

24.08.2026

USA - Farmers face crop concerns after flooding in Pulaski County

The floodwaters might be gone, but farmers are now focusing on crop damage.

24.08.2026

USA - New Hay Insurance Adds Revenue Protection for 2027

The new option could provide stronger protection when forage losses coincide with higher replacement feed costs.

24.08.2026

India - Farmers to get compensation for crop loss from extreme weather

Claims cover damaged okra, tomatoes, pomegranates, and kinnow under new insurance scheme.

24.08.2026

USA - Storm damage hits western Kentucky crops ahead of harvest season

Last week’s storms caused widespread damage to some areas, with damages even affecting some in the agricultural industry.

23.08.2026

USA - Pennsylvania Opens $10M Aid Program for Freeze-Hit Growers

Pennsylvania will open a $10 million disaster-relief program Aug. 24 for fruit growers facing an estimated $150 million to $200 million in losses from a spring freeze, Gov. Josh Shapiro reported Thursday during a visit to an Adams County orchard.

23.08.2026

A year of change in Polish agriculture

Minister Krajewski highlights support for farmers and stronger agricultural resilience.