The UK reactivates neonicotinoid pesticides, and the Cruiser SB is granted emergency authorization

Recently, the UK government has announced that it will allow the use of the neonicotinoid pesticide Cruiser SB (containing the active ingredient Thiamethoxam) for disease control on sugar beet crops in 2024, provided that farmers can only use the pesticide on sugar beet seeds if independent models predict a high risk of disease incidence of 65% or more.

Neonicotinoids have been banned for many years, but the UK government has decided to urgently authorise limited and controlled use in exceptional circumstances in order to safeguard food supplies. In addition to predicting disease thresholds, monitoring of environmental impacts will be strengthened, limiting subsequent planting of crops, etc., to minimize risks.

 The agriculture minister said it was a necessary and reasonable temporary measure to prevent the pandemic from causing a sharp fall in sugar beet production and a major hit to farmers' incomes.