Continued Access to Essential Plant Protection Products for Farmers and Growers

The UK government has announced that British farmers and growers will maintain access to essential pesticides, ensuring both resilient agricultural practices and reduced input costs, as part of a new strategy unveiled today.

In response to feedback from the agricultural sector, these provisions will allow farmers to continue utilizing seeds treated with pesticides that have been approved by the EU, as well as enabling the importation of more cost-effective pesticide products that are identical to those authorized for use in Great Britain.

This initiative not only offers clarity regarding the availability of treated seeds and plant protection products for upcoming growing seasons but also aims to enhance the supply and decrease the prices of pesticides.

Treated seeds are critical for the arable and horticultural industries, playing a significant role particularly for maize—a key crop for dairy farming and energy production.

The government presented its plans to Parliament yesterday. Once approved, these measures will take effect by the end of the year, ensuring no interruption in the existing treated seed schemes, which are currently set to expire on December 31. This will enable farmers to procure and apply treated seeds for the next growing season.

These measures are designed to provide the agricultural sector and farming communities with the necessary time to adjust while continuing to support farmers in producing affordable, high-quality food.

Farming Minister Mark Spencer stated:

The government acknowledges the hurdles faced by farmers in importing treated seeds and more affordable pesticide products from the EU as the transition period concludes.

Our priority is to ensure that British farmers have access to the resources required for sustainable and cost-effective food production. The measures introduced today will address the concerns raised by our important farming community.

Under the current timeline, farmers were expected to lose access to these products by the end of the year. However, the newly announced temporary measures will allow farmers and growers in Great Britain to:

• Continue using seeds treated with plant protection products authorized for use in the EU until July 1, 2027, extending the current arrangement by an additional 3.5 years.
• Reinstate trade permits for the import of identical plant protection products (PPPs) authorized in Great Britain for a maximum of two years.

This ongoing access will help to enhance the availability of products, lower costs, and provide certainty within the industry over the next few years.

In the long term, these changes will give manufacturers the time needed to submit full applications for GB authorizations of seed treatments, ensuring continued access to the UK market. They have received feedback from farmers about demand, and the regulator will work alongside the industry to assist in the successful application process.

The government is also promoting the adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) practices, encouraging farmers to diversify their crop protection strategies for increased resilience. Support for farmers to adopt IPM practices is ongoing, including incentivized actions available through the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme, which provides payments for creating IPM assessments and plans.

The previous bureaucratic Common Agricultural Policy disproportionately benefitted larger landowners, while often neglecting smaller farmers and contributing little to productivity and environmental goals.

Ongoing enhancements to the Environmental Land Management schemes will ensure better alignment with farmer needs, such as facilitating early payments—something that was not feasible under the Common Agricultural Policy.

The 2023 offerings have been broadened and made more adaptable based on feedback from farmers, with over 23 paid actions now available, focusing on hedgerow improvement, nutrient management, wildlife conservation, and low-input grassland. These improvements allow farmers to select the mix of actions most suitable for their needs, contrasting with previous group-based standards.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Seed Treatments:

• After leaving the EU, the government established provisions until the end of 2023 to allow the import and use of seeds treated in the EU. Today’s announcement extends these measures, permitting the import, marketing, and use of seeds treated with PPPs authorized in an EU or EEA member state for an additional three-and-a-half years, until July 1, 2027.
• Manufacturers will have the opportunity to apply for full PPP authorizations for seed treatments, encompassing both existing and new products following these proposals.
• Additionally, farmers will have the flexibility to explore new products and alternative methods within an IPM framework. The government is already supporting farmers in enhancing their IPM adoption through newly introduced incentives in the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme, launched earlier this year.

Parallel Trade:

• The arrangements implemented during the EU exit aimed to facilitate a smooth transition to a GB regime devoid of parallel trade. However, recent global events have triggered price increases across various essential sectors, amplifying the need for cost-effective PPPs.
• In response to industry stakeholders’ concerns, the government has laid secondary legislation to reinstate Parallel Trade Permits for those who had valid permits as of December 31, 2022, allowing them to apply for reinstatement for a maximum of two years.
• This temporary measure will be in effect as we address limited market competition and potential short-term gaps resulting from the loss of parallel pesticide products.
• Guidance will be available on the HSE’s website once the regulations have completed the Parliamentary process.

Standards:

• In any pesticide-related policy, safeguarding environmental and human health remains a chief concern.
• Products imported via the parallel trade scheme must be identical to their GB reference counterparts. We will continue utilizing intelligence-led investigations and a broad spectrum of controls to monitor, identify, and respond to products that fail to meet these standards.
• The importation of treated seeds will be restricted to those authorized in one or more EU nations, ensuring they adhere to a stringent regulatory system comparable to GB standards. Any products losing EU authorization will no longer be permitted for import or use in GB.