Copa-Cogeca's EU-28 oilseed estimates for the 2014/15 marketing year suggest rapeseed crops in the EU are close to record levels.

Copa-Cogeca released new EU-28 oilseeds and protein crop estimates for the 2014/15 marketing year on Tuesday, showing a good rapeseed crop, close to the current record of 22.18 million tonnes.

The EU farm group's Oilseeds and Protein Crops Working Party met yesterday, ahead of the release. A mild winter for many parts of the EU led to Member States reporting mostly positive outlooks.

Good winter sowings mean that the EU rapeseed crop is forecast up 4.2 percent on last year's levels. The forecast for this year's sunflower crop – which is estimated to remain stable at 8.89 mt – should be treated with caution, Copa warned, as drought in many countries may yet affect yields.

Chair of the Working Party Gerard Tubery welcomed the positive market outlook for rapeseed, but warned that the farming community is concerned about the next marketing year in view of the upcoming ban on treated seed.

"Several field trials this spring have already shown that sowing without treated seed creates very serious problems," said Tubery.

On Tuesday, an IUCN-appointed task force made the results of a four-year assessment of systemic pesticides public. The experts said there is clear evidence that the seed treatments – most prominent amongst which are the neonicotinoids – are causing harm to the environment and a range of key species, principally earthworms and pollinating insects.

Gerard Tubery added, "Farmers are also still waiting to see details of the implementing rules of the latest Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform at national level before making their business decisions and production plans. This could limit opportunities for crops to be sown for the next season as farmers don’t know yet all the implications, including penalties, under the new CAP reform if they don’t comply with the new greening measures.

"Finally, the u-turn in the EU biofuels policy is creating great uncertainty for farmers, reducing their interest in growing these crops which are in fact crucial for the livestock factor since they ensure vital animal feed supplies."