Agroinsurance

NEWS

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

07.08.2020 742 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

EVENTS

ScaleAgData Stakeholder Engagement Event

22.10.2024

The ScaleAgData project is pleased to invite you to our second stakeholder event. Building on the discussions and connections formed during our first webinar, this event will focus on fostering collaboration among stakeholders, providing updates on our project’s progress, and outlining future opportunities for engagement.

RISK EVENTS

Cyclone Alfred causes $11 million crop damage in Australia

20.03.2025

The Australian horticultural sector faced challenges following Cyclone Alfred's impact in late February.

New Zealand kiwifruit crop avoids major cyclone damage

Kiwifruit growers in New Zealand appear to have avoided a major impact from Cyclone Vaianu, which hit the east coast of the North Island this month.

21.04.2026

Africa achieves first gene-edited grapevine using CRISPR for disease resistance, drought tolerance

A resistant grapevine reduces chemical input costs and crop loss.

21.04.2026

India - Growers hail Centre's decision to bring tea plantation under purview of weather insurance scheme

Tea growers hailed the government's decision to bring the sector under the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS), which they said would help mitigate losses due to erratic rainfall and rising temperatures.

21.04.2026

Sri Lanka - Compensation for damage caused by Nilwala river salinity barrier to be expedited

The Government has allocated financial provisions amounting to Rs. 1,200 million in the 2026 Budget to provide compensation for paddy cultivation losses caused by the salinity barrier constructed on the Nilwala River in 2019 by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) to prevent seawater intrusion into drinking water sources in the Matara District.

21.04.2026

Canada - Drought and input inflation force Ontario growers to rethink risk

Record‑low rainfall in 2025 and higher fertilizer prices are driving Ontario producers to lean on crop insurance.

21.04.2026

USA - Pest experts warn about the cost of crop damage caused by invasive species

As spring weather warms up, experts warn that this is also a time when invasive pests spread more easily.

20.04.2026

Pakistani mango crop declines on heat, cold, and hail damage

Mango production in Pakistan is expected to remain below normal this season due to weather-related impacts affecting flowering and fruit set in Punjab.

20.04.2026

Nepal - Minister Geeta Chaudhary Engages with Banana Farmers to Address Agricultural Challenges

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development and Minister of Forests and Environment, Geeta Chaudhary, has held a meeting with banana farmers. During the meeting, Minister Chaudhary discussed issues related to banana production, marketing, and fertilizer supply.