Defra have today rejected the second emergency application from the NFU for use of neonicotinoids.  A spokesperson said: "Today, based on the evidence and advice from the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides, Defra rejected two applications by the National Farmers Union to use neonicotinoids on oilseed rape crops.

"Ministers make their decision based on advice from the Health and Safety Executive and the independent Expert Committee on Pesticides."

Reacting to today’s announcement, Guy Smith, NFU vice-president, said: “This is very disappointing news for oilseed rape growers.

“If we have a difficult establishment period this autumn with high flea beetle pressure, I have no doubt that a huge percentage of the oilseed rape crop will be lost.

“Neonicotinoids are widely used around the world by farmers and are only restricted in the EU. Danish farmers were given a 100 per cent derogation to use them and the British government has always said the ban was not supported by science. We remain convinced there is still no clear evidence that they are causing any widespread decline in bee populations, so why are we restricting their use when it is clear that it’s not going to result in any measurable benefit for our pollinators?

“This will be a bitter blow for farmers at a time when oilseed rape is one of the few arable crops with a good, positive margin. This decision will also be bad news for bees as bees like oilseed rape for early forage in April and May. Without healthy rape crops, bees do not do as well.”

NFU combinable crops board chairman, Mike Hambly, said: “Defra’s advice was that there is no harm to human health; no unacceptable effects on the environment. 

“Research work into developing Integrated Pest Management for Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle in oilseed rape is ongoing and, to be done properly, takes time to produce robust recommendations.  We note the Government’s advisory Committee and the HSE acknowledge new information is not yet available and it would be highly irresponsible to second guess its outcome by providing advice to farmers that may make losses worse and costs to farmers businesses higher.   

“Predicting where and when CSFB will damage oilseed rape is highly dependent on the weather, so currently unpredictable.  If it was possible to assess and control CSFB risk through means other than seed treatment, farmers would already be using these. The NFU submitted robust and persuasive applications which were supported by a strong evidence base. We also offered Defra’s advisers the opportunity to come on farm to experience the issue first hand, which they refused.  

“Defra acknowledges that the EU restrictions on the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments have already had a real impact on farm incomes, and this refusal to help can only expose more farmers to the risk of further losses. It also risks depriving our country of sufficient oilseed rape to meet our deficit in high protein animal feed to replace imported soya and of sufficient rapeseed oil to replace imported palm oil.

“We’ll now be considering our next steps, but we won’t stop fighting for our members to have access to the products they need on farm.”

However, the move has been warmly welcomed by Friends of the Earth.

Friends of the Earth bee campaigner Dave Timms said:
 

“This is great news for bees and other wildlife. We are delighted the application has been refused.

“Despite having the advantage of secrecy, the evidence submitted by the NFU failed to convince the Government’s pesticide advisors.

“The NFU risks damaging public trust in British farming with its repeated attempts to get these dangerous pesticides back into our fields – instead they should concentrate on promoting bee-friendly ways to control crop pests.

“The Government must do all it can to safeguard our under-threat pollinators. This should include maintaining the current ban on bee-harming pesticides - and committing to upholding and enforcing EU nature protection rules, which are now at risk as we plan our Brexit.”

Friends of the Earth had urged the government to refuse the application, pointing out that:

•  Government figures show the average UK oilseed rape yield rose nearly 7% last year, in the first harvest after the ban was introduced
•  Recent scientific evidence has added to the concerns about the impact of the three neonicotinoid pesticides on bees and other pollinators
•  The neonicotinoid seed treatments allowed last year may not have been effective against Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle
•  Crop losses due to Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle were lower this autumn, compared to the previous one
•  Non-chemical means of minimizing pest damage to crops are available to farmers