Emerald Crop Research has argued that continued uncertainty over the future regulation of biostimulants in the UK risks adding unnecessary costs and bureaucracy at the very time that biostimulants are most required by farmers and growers, who are already under significant pressure due to unprecedented cost rises.
Defra was due to publish its response to its consultation on ‘Creating an Enabling Regulatory Environment for Enhanced Efficiency Fertilisers,’ which evaluates the regulatory approaches to biostimulants, in August 2021, but there is currently no indication of when the response will be seen. In turn this suggests that Defra’s initial ambition to have the new regulatory framework fully implemented by September 2022, just five months away, is unachievable.
“We are all hoping that the current market situation has encouraged Defra to reflect on the proposed course of action and realise the pointless bureaucracy it would impose,” said Helen Holman of Emerald Crop Science. “Hopefully, they are defining a certification scheme with a much lighter touch, in the light of the need to support sustainable agriculture.
“This season, farmers and growers will be able to use biostimulants to support reduced nitrogen strategies, however, they could find that they have even fewer options to support the health and productivity of their crops going into 2023 season.”
Photo source: Emerald Crop Science