Date: 31 st July 2013

Transcription

1 Page 1 Date: 31 st July 2013 Ref: Contact: PS050/13 Don Pendergrast Tel: Purpose: To inform advisers and members of the impacts of the restriction in use of Clothianidin, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam on UK crop production. Impact of EU restrictions on the use of actives Clothianidin, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam in UK crop production Neonicotinoid insecticides are used in almost every sector of UK crop production, often forming the basic building block of farmer insecticidal crop protection programme. They are formulated either as seed treatments or foliar sprays. On Monday 29 April 2013 the EU Commission issued a statement proposing to restrict the use of 3 neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) for a period of 2 years. The main elements of the Commissions regulation to Member States are answered in the following FAQ s. It is important to note that this briefing is subject to update following further clarifications from regulators on the details of the regulations: Frequently Asked Questions on the draft restrictions Q: What Neonicotinoid actives are restricted? A: The proposal restricts the use of 3 neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) for seed treatment, soil application (granules) and foliar treatment on bee attractive plants and cereals. A list of UK registered products affected is provided in table 1 on page 5 & 6 of this briefing. Q: Are any Neonicotinoid actives unaffected by the restrictions? A: Yes, acetamiprid and thiacloprid products are unaffected by this restriction, their main usage is in the horticultural sector. These neonicotinoids have a different chemistry to the three neonicotinoids above, which results in them being considered a significantly lower risk to bees. Q: When will the restrictions be implemented? A: The implementation date is 1 st December 2013, so existing product uses can continue up until this date. This will mean that oilseed rape seed treated with these actives can be sown in autumn Q: Can some uses of these actives continue after 1 st December 2013? Yes, however there are several caveats to this: Only professionals can use the remaining unrestricted product uses Seed coating can only be performed in professional seed treatment facilities Remaining uses are prohibited on crops attractive to bees except for uses in glasshouses and on crops that are harvested before flowering. Continued use is permitted for experimental/r&d purposes Some uses on winter sown cereals will remain

2 Page 2 If the crop is not listed in the draft Annexes at pages 6-9 of this briefing, then relevant approved uses of the three neonicotinoids would still be allowed after 1 st December Such crops have not been included on the list because the Commission, which has taken an extremely precautionary approach on this issue, has concluded that the low risk to bees in these crop situations does not justify restricting the use of neonicotinoids. One of the Commission s main focuses has been on restricting use of the three neonicotinoids on flowering crops that are attractive to bees. Their theory, which is unsupported by field study evidence, is that feeding on the pollen and nectar from flowers of such treated crops results in a high risk of harm to bees. Thus the Commission has accepted that in crops whose flowers are not attractive to bees, or crops that are harvested before they flower, or crops that bees can t access (because they are grown in greenhouses), the risk to bees is low and in these crop situations there is no justification for restricting the use of neonicotinoids. Q: Will any uses on cereal remain after 1 st December 2013? Yes, use as a seed or soil treatment is permitted on wheat, barley, millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum and triticale between July and December, (but not from January to June). Use as a foliar treatment for these crops is not authorized. Q: What crops are affected by the restriction? A: A complete list of crops affected is provided in Annex 1 (page 6 & 7) at the end of this briefing. Q: When will the restriction be reviewed? A: As soon as new information is available, and at the latest within 2 years, the Commission will review the conditions of approval of the 3 neonicotinoids to take into account relevant scientific and technical developments. Q: I buy imported seed that has been treated with these actives, can this still be used after 1 st December 2013? A: It depends on whether or not the crop is listed in Annex II (page 8 and 9). If it is not listed, then you would be able to continue using seed treated with these actives after 1 st December. If it is listed, then the use of seed treated with these actives will be prohibited. Check carefully what the active ingredient is in the seed treatment you use. If your crop is not specifically listed, approved uses of the three neonicotinoids would still be permitted after 1 st December This is because the Commission, which has taken an extremely precautionary approach to this issue, has concluded that the low risk to bees in these crop situations does not justify restricting these uses of neonicotinoids. Q: What should I do with surplus treated seed or pesticide after 1 st December 2013? A: If you have stocks of treated seed after 1 st of December then you may be able to return the seed to the previous seller if an agreement is in place. Alternative the seed must be treated as hazardous waste and disposed of by a certified waste contractor to ensure there is no risk to the environment. Seed can be stored if this is for purposes of export outside the EU which is still permissible.

3 Page 3 Q: Uses in greenhouses are except but what constitutes a greenhouse? A: The NFU understands that the term greenhouse is defined in Art. 3(27) of the pesticide regulation 1107/2009 as a walk-in, static, closed place of crop production with a usually translucent outer shell, which allows controlled exchange of material and energy with the surroundings and prevents release of plant protection products into the environment. The NFU believes that permanent polytunnels as used widely within the ornamentals industry should satisfy this definition. Q: With regards to ornamentals, what is definition of in the year of treatment? A: The NFU is seeking clarification on this issue. Q: Will the restrictions include swede under the botanical definition Brassica rapa? A: The NFU understands that swede is not included in the list of plants annexed to the Regulation, however turnips are included. Q: Is Fipronil also affected by this regulation? A: Not directly however EFSA published a review of the pesticide risk assessment for bees for the active substance fipronil on 27 th May Restrictions were then agreed in July 2013 to restrict the use of Fipronil from 28 th February 2014 the main implications for this are that Sunflower and Maize seed cannot be treated with Fipronil which is not a major concern for UK growers. More information is available here. NFU Comment NFU has raised concerns about the decision to impose restrictions on Neonicotinoids since it was first proposed by the commission. NFU will continue to lobby for a speedy resolution of this issue and suitable field level evaluations to be undertaken to address uncertainties. NFU will seek clarification on areas of uncertain and update information to members accordingly. NFU will work with regulators and industry to highlight and address gaps in crop protection programmes. BRIEFING LAST UPDATED 31/07/2013

4 Page 4 TABLE 1: Anticipated changes to UK product usage following restriction of products containing Clothianidin, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam. Use up period ends on 30th November 2013, restrictions come into force 1st December 2013 *Restriction on use (No use as seed treatment and no application of foliar treatments - with the exception of foliar application after flowering and uses in greenhouses) Crop Product names Actives Pests controlled Linseed Chinook Blue, Chinook Colourless Imidacloprid Flea beetle Maize Poncho Clothianidin Frit-Fly, Symphids and Wireworm White mustard and black mustard Chinook Blue, Chinook Colourless Cruiser OSR, Conquest Imidacloprid Thiamethoxam Cabbage Stem flea beetle, Flea beetle, Peach-potato aphid Poppies Cruiser OSR Thiamethoxam Flea beetle Modesto Clothianidin Rapeseed Chinook Blue, (wosr and sosr) Chinook Colourless (wosr only) Cruiser OSR (wosr, sosr and forage) Conquest (wosr, sosr and forage) Modesto (wosr only) Imidacloprid Thiamethoxam Clothianidin Aphids, Cabbage Root fly, flea beetle, turnip sawfly larvae, Cabbage Stem flea beetle, Peach-potato aphid Ornamentals flowering in year of treatment Intercept 70WG, Imidasect 5GR, Intecept 5GR Actara Imidacloprid Thiamethoxam Aphids, Whitefly, Sciarid fly, Vine Weevil Turnips Cruiser SB Thiamethoxam Flea beetle

5 Page 5 *Restriction on use (no use as seed treatment from January to June) Crop Product names Actives Pests controlled Winter Wheat Tripod Plus Imidacloprid Leafhoppers, slugs, virus Redigo Deter, Deter Clothianidin Winter Oats Tripod Plus Imidacloprid Leafhoppers, slugs, virus Redigo Deter, Deter Clothianidin Winter Barley Tripod Plus Imidacloprid Leafhoppers, slugs, virus Redigo Deter, Deter Clothianidin Winter Rye Redigo Deter, Deter Clothianidin Leafhoppers, slugs, virus Triticale Redigo Deter, Deter Clothianidin Leafhoppers, slugs, virus Durum wheat Redigo Deter, Deter Clothianidin Leafhoppers, slugs, virus *PLEASE NOTE: The main aim of the Commission s proposed changes is to restrict the use of the three neonicotinoids Clothianidin, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam on flowering crops that are attractive to bees, and that flower in normal cropping situations (i.e. before they are harvested). Accordingly, in addition to the uses given in the attached table, any permitted uses of these three neonicotinoids on crops such as beans, peas, soft fruit, tree fruit, nut crops and cucurbits would not be allowed under the new regulation. The regulation will also prevent the use of the three neonicotinoids on some outdoor herbs, e.g. coriander and thyme.

6 Page 6 ANNEX 1: Restrictions on product application: Uses as seed treatment or soil treatment shall not be authorised for the following cereals, when such cereals are sown from January to June: - Barley, millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, triticale, wheat. Foliar treatments shall not be authorised for the following cereals: - Barley, millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, triticale, wheat. Uses as seed treatment, soil treatment or foliar application shall not be authorised for the following crops with the exception of uses in greenhouses and with the exception of foliar treatments after flowering: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) almonds (Prunus amygdalus; P. communis; Amygdalus communis) anise (Pimpinella anisum); badian or star anise (Illicium verum); caraway (Carum carvi); coriander (Coriandrum sativum); cumin (Cuminum cyminum); fennel (Foeniculum vulgare); juniper berries (Juniperus communis) apples (Malus pumila; M. sylvestris; M. communis; Pyrus malus) apricots (Prunus armeniaca) avocados (Persea americana) bananas (Musa sapientum; M. cavendishii; M. nana) beans (Phaseolus spp) blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) blueberries, European blueberry, wild bilberry, whortleberry (Vaccinium myrtillus); American blueberry (V. corymbosum) broad beans, horse beans (Vicia faba var. major; var. equina; var. Minor) buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) carobs, carob-tree, locust bean (Ceratonia siliqua) castor oil seed (Ricinus communis) cherries Mazzard, sweet cherry (Prunus avium; Cerasus avium); hardfleshed cherry (var. duracina); heart cherry (var. juliana) chestnuts (Castanea sp) chick peas (Cicer arietinum) chillies (Capsicum frutescens; C. annuum); allspice, Jamaica pepper (Pimenta officinalis) clovers (Trifolium spp.) coffee (Coffea spp. arabica, robusta, liberica) cotton (Gossypium spp) cowpeas, black eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata) cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon); European cranberries (Vaccinum oxycoccus) cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) currants black (Ribes nigrum); red and white (R. rubrum) dates (Phoenix dactylifera) elderberries (Sambucus nigra) gooseberries (Ribes uva-cripsa) grapefruit (C. paradisi) grapes (Vitis vinifera) groundnuts/peanuts (Arachis hypogea) hazelnut (Corylus aveliana) hemp (Cannabis sativa)

7 Page 7 japanese rose (Rosa rugosa) kiwi fruit (Actinidia chinensis) leguminous: birdsfoot, trefoil (Lotus corniculatus); lespedeza (Lespedeza spp.); kudzu (Pueraria lobata); sesbania (Sesbania spp.); sainfoin, esparcette (Onobrychis sativa); sulla (Hedysarum coronarium) lemons and limes Lemon (Citrus limon); sour lime (C. aurantifolia); sweet lime (C. limetta) lentils (Lens esculenta; Ervum lens) linseed (Linum usitatissimum) lupins (Lupinus spp) maize (Zea mays) Corn, Indian corn, mealies melon seeds (Cucumis melo) mustard seeds: white mustard (Brassica alba; B. hirta; Sinapis alba); black mustard (Brassica nigra; Sinapis nigra) okra / gombo (Abelmoschus esculentus; Hibiscus esculentus). olives (Olea europaea) oranges common, sweet orange (Citrus sinensis); bitter orange (C. aurantium) peaches and nectarines (Prunus persica; Amygdalus persica; Persica laevis) pears (Pyrus communis) peas garden pea (Pisum sativum); field pea (P. arvense) peppermint (Mentha spp.: M. piperita) persimmons (Diospyros kaki: D. virginiana) pistachios (Pistacia vera) plums and sloes greengage, mirabelle, damson (Prunus domestica); sloe (P. spinosa) poppy seed (Papaver somniferum) pumpkins, squash, gourds and marrows (Cucurbita spp. ) pyrethrum, (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium) quinces (Cydonia oblonga; C. vulgaris; C. japonica) rapeseed (Brassica napus var. oleífera) raspberries (Rubus idaeus) safflower seed (Carthamus tinctorius) serradella/birds foot (Ornithopus sativus) sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) soybeans (Glycine soja) spices: bay leaves (Laurus nobilis); dill seed (Anethum graveolens); fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenumgraecum); saffron (Crocus sativus); thyme (Thymus vulgaris); turmeric (Curcuma longa) strawberries (Fragaria spp) sunflower seed (Helianthus annuus) tangerine (Citrus tangerina);mandarin (Citrus reticulata) clementine (C. unshiu); turnips. (Brassica rapa var. rapifera and oleifera spp.) vetches Spring/common vetch (Vicia sativa) viper's Grass (Scorzonera hispanica) walnuts (Jugland spp.: J. regia) watermelons (Citrullus vulgaris) ornamentals flowering in year of treatment.

8 Page 8 ANNEX 2: Restrictions on treated seed: Seeds treated with plant protection products containing clothianidin, thiamethoxam or imidacloprid whose use and placing on the market is prohibited: Barley, millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, triticale, wheat when such cereals are to be sown from January to June. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) anise (Pimpinella anisum); badian or star anise (Illicium verum); caraway (Carum carvi); coriander (Coriandrum sativum); cumin (Cuminum cyminum); fennel (Foeniculum vulgare); juniper berries (Juniperus communis) beans (Phaseolus spp) broad beans, horse beans (Vicia fabavar. major; var. equina; var. minor) buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) castor oil seed (Ricinus communis) chick peas (Cicer arietinum) chillies (Capsicum frutescens; C. annuum); allspice, Jamaica pepper (Pimenta officinalis) clovers(trifolium spp.). coffee (Coffea spp. arabica, robusta, liberica) cotton (Gossypium spp) cow peas, black eyes pea/bean (Vigna unguiculata) cucumbers and gherkins (Cucumis sativus) groundnuts, peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) hemp (Cannabis sativa) leguminous for Silage birdsfoot, trefoil (Lotus corniculatus); lespedeza (Lespedeza spp.); kudzu (Pueraria lobata); sesbania (Sesbania spp.); sainfoin, esparcette (Onobrychis sativa); sulla (Hedysarum coronarium) lentils(lens esculenta; Ervum lens) linseed (Linum usitatissimum )lupins (Lupinus spp) maize (Zea mays) Corn, Indian corn, mealies melon seeds (Cucumis melo) mustard seed white mustard (Brassica alba; B. hirta; Sinapis alba); black mustard (Brassica nigra; Sinapis nigra) okra (Abelmoschus esculentus); gombo (Hibiscus esculentus). peas garden pea (Pisum sativum); field pea (P. arvense) peppermint (Mentha spp.: M. piperita) poppy seed (Papaver somniferum) pumpkins, squash, gourds and marrows (Cucurbita spp.) pyrethrum, (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium) rapeseed (Brassica napus var. oleifera) safflower seed (Carthamus tinctorius) sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) soybeans (Glycine soja) spices: bay leaves (Laurus nobilis); dill seed (Anethum graveolens); fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenumgraecum); saffron (Crocus sativus); thyme (Thymus vulgaris); turmeric (Curcuma longa) strawberries (Fragaria spp) sunflower seed (Helianthus annuus) turnips (Brassica rapa var. rapifera and oleifera spp.) vetches Spring/common vetch (Vicia sativa)watermelons Citrullus vulgaris

9 Page 9 watermelons (Citrullus vulgaris) ornamentals flowering in year of treatment.