The government has moved to ensure British farmers and growers continue to have access to important crop protection products after the industry highlighted that post-Brexit changes to legislation would limit access to imported seed treated with certain products.
In a statement, Defra said, ‘The plans will not only provide certainty to farmers so they know which treated seeds and plant protection products they can use in coming growing seasons but will also help improve the availability and reduce the cost of pesticides.’
The temporary measures enable farmers and growers in Great Britain to continue using seeds treated with plant protection products authorised for use in the EU for an additional 3.5 years (up until 1 July 2027) and will reinstate trade permits for the import of PPPs that are identical to those authorised in Great Britain for a maximum of two years.
‘In the long term, this change will ensure manufacturers have time to submit full applications for GB authorisations for seed treatments in order to ensure that they can continue to benefit from the UK market,’ added Defra. ‘They have heard from farmers and understand the demand – the regulator will continue working with industry to support them in submitting successful applications.’
Farming Minister Mark Spencer commented, “The government recognises the challenges faced by farmers and growers in importing treated seeds and more cost-effective pesticide products from the EU as the transition period concludes. Ensuring that British farmers and growers have access to the tools they need to produce food sustainably and affordably is a priority. The measures announced today will address the potential impacts and concerns raised by our valued farming sector.”
The NFU welcomed the move but warned that more action is required. NFU vice president David Exwood, commented, “There are issues that need to be sorted for these plans to deliver their full potential to ensure UK farmers and growers have the crop protection tools they need to produce key crops and remain competitive. Any legislative change has to deliver a meaningful output for farmers. “We need Defra to commit to working on solutions for after 2027, which will ensure the crop protection tools farmers and growers need, continue to be available, to enable competitive production in the UK.”