Agroinsurance

NEWS

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

07.08.2020 787 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

Moldova - May frosts caused heavy damage to fruit orchards

10.05.2026

The first frosty nights of May have significantly worsened estimates of damage to Moldova's fruit sector from spring frosts. According to initial assessments by fruit market operators, between a quarter and a third of the country's total orchard area was seriously affected.

India - Storms damage mango, watermelon, and vegetable crops in Jharkhand

High-velocity winds, heavy rainfall, and hailstorms across Jharkhand in recent days have caused damage to seasonal fruit and vegetable crops, including mangoes, watermelons, tomatoes, coriander, okra, and gourds.

12.05.2026

Canada - AFSC rethinking honey insurance programs offered to Alberta beekeepers

Despite offering coverage for everything from bear attacks to parasitic mites, Alberta’s honey insurance programs continue to see remarkably low participation rates among the province’s beekeepers.

12.05.2026

Myanmar - Bago Region CM attended the loan disbursement ceremony

Bago Region Government held the 2026 monsoon season agricultural input loan disbursement ceremony under the 100-Day Plan on the morning of May 12 at Bago City Hall.

12.05.2026

Rwanda - Subsidised insurance for greenhouse growers launched

Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) on Thursday, May 7, launched a subsidised insurance for greenhouse agriculture to protect farmers against climate shocks, while encouraging investment in commercial agriculture.

12.05.2026

Bangladesh - Tk7.50b Boro paddy spoilt by rains, flash flood in Sylhet

While the farmers in greater Sylhet are still continuing their high labour-intensive venture to harvest Boro paddy, about 40 per cent of the job is yet to be completed for the extensive inundation of their fields caused by incessant rainfalls and runoff.

12.05.2026

USA - USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Oklahoma Impacted by Recent Tornadoes

Agricultural operations in Oklahoma have been significantly impacted by recent severe weather and tornadoes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events.

11.05.2026

India - Erratic weather cuts Himachal Pradesh apple crop by up to 70%

Himachal Pradesh may face one of its lowest apple harvests in recent years, with growers reporting crop losses of up to 70% across major producing regions due to prolonged erratic weather.

11.05.2026

Mongolia Could Face Severe Economic Crisis From Overlapping Climate Shocks

A World Bank Group study warns that Mongolia could face a devastating economic crisis if collapsing coal exports, deadly dzud winters, and catastrophic urban floods strike together, potentially shrinking GDP by over 20 percent in three years.