Report Confirms Essential Value of Neonicotinoid Pesticides for Europe
BRUSSELS, January 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
A Humboldt Forum for Food and Agriculture report highlights that if neonicotinoid seed treatments were no longer available, impact on the EU economy could be as great as €4.5 billion with a loss of at least 50,000 farm jobs across the EU. Over a 5-year period, the EU could lose up to €17 billion and face a significant increase in pest pressure.
"These figures demonstrate the value this technology brings to EU farming", Friedhelm Schmider, Director General of European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) commented. "They contribute more than €2 billion annually to commodity crop revenues, and reduce production costs by €1 billion across the EU", he added.
The independent study confirms the economic and environmental value of seed treatment neonicotinoids for Europe. The report includes the example of Germany where oilseed rape growers rely highly on neonicotinoid technology to remain competitive in the global market; and Spain, where sunflower growers can achieve better yields through earlier planting.
The study underlines the importance of maintaining a range of innovative crop protection solutions for managing the pressures of pests and disease, and enabling efficient use of natural resources (land and water).
"The report has revealed substantial consequences for the economy and the environment if there would be constraints on the availability of neonicotinoid seed treatments" Friedhelm Schmider concluded.
ECPA's Press Release online:
Notes to editors:
- The report was conducted by Steffen Noleppa (agripol), Thomas Hahn et al. (a-connect)
- Based on an analysis of 10 EU countries (Germany, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Italy, Spain, France, the UK and the Netherlands) and 6 focus crops (corn, sugar beet, oilseed rape, wheat, barley and sunflower) the project team assessed the potential value of neonicotinoid seed treatment to EU societies, economies and selected stakeholders
- The report is supported by Copa-Cogeca, ESA and ECPA and financed by Bayer CropScience and Syngenta.
- Neonicotinoid based pesticides have received recent press attention in discussions about its potential risks to European honey bee populations; however, European scientific authority EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) will release a report later this week which will scientifically review the risk of neonicotinoids to bees.
Further information can be found athttp://www.neonicreport.com
The European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) represents the crop protection industry interests at European level. Its members include all major companies and national associations across Europe.
Contact:
Anna Seretny, Communications Coordinator, anna.seretny@ecpa.eu
Angel Martin, Governmental Affairs Manager, angel.martin@ecpa.eu
Switchboard : +32(0)2-663-1550
For more general information:
http://www.ecpa.eu - http://www.hungry4change.eu/- facebook.com/cropprotection - twitter.com/cropprotection
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