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

07.08.2020 618 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
01.12.2025

India - KPRS sees irregularities in crop loss assessment, disbursal of relief

Karnataka Pranta Raitha Sangha (KPRS) has said that there are widespread irregularities in assessment and disbursal of compensation for crop loss caused due to the recent heavy rain and floods in Kalaburagi district.

01.12.2025

China - ADB Approves USD 141M Loan to Support Low-Carbon, Climate-Smart Agriculture in Sichuan Province

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a ¥1 billion (US$140.89 million) loan to advance low-carbon and climate-resilient agriculture in Sichuan Province in the People’s Republic of China.

01.12.2025

Australia - WA livestock methane startup Freemantle Seaweed raises $2.2 million in crowdfunded Seed round

Another startup looking to deal with cattle methane emissions using seaweed has raised $2.176 million in Seed funding.

01.12.2025

Bindwell Announces $6M to Advance AI-Designed Pesticides and Modernize Crop Protection

Bindwell, an AI-driven agricultural science startup founded by teenage entrepreneurs Tyler Roseand Navvye Anand, has secured $6 million in seed funding co-led by General Catalyst and A Capital, with additional investment from Paul Graham. 

01.12.2025

“Stagnant markets and aggressive imports call for a reflection at a European level"

As is typical for late November, Italian garlic supplies are dwindling, creating more space in the market for imported products.

01.12.2025

New study reveals barriers stopping Scottish farmers joining schemes

A new University of Stirling study has shed light on the obstacles preventing Scottish farmers from joining agri-environmental schemes, warning that red tape and financial uncertainty are discouraging widespread participation.

30.11.2025

EPA urged to ban spraying of antibiotics on US food crops amid resistance fears

Use of 8m pounds of antibiotics and antifungals a year leads to superbugs and damages human health, lawsuit claims.

30.11.2025

Desert locust outbreak threatens agriculture in southern Morocco, warns FAO

The desert locust outbreak in Mauritania and Morocco’s southern provinces persisted throughout November, with numerous hopper groups, bands, and small swarms continuing to move north, according to the latest FAO update.