We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.Shift to hazard-based regulation on pesticides
PESTICIDES regulation in Europe has shifted from risk to hazard-based, resulting in active ingredients being lost and the threat of resistance increased, TAG technical director Jim Orson told the Arable Outlook conference.
The biggest losers will be minor crops, grass weed control in combinable crops and possibly disease control in cereals and oilseed rape.
Mr Orson said Defra Secretary Hilary Benn has been extremely supportive in opposing new EU regulations and is pinning his hopes on derogations that will enable the use of certain active ingredients to continue.
However, these derogations will have to have approval from other countries, so they may not be granted, said Mr Orson.
He said farmers should not panic, but will have to be innovative to get round the regulations.
The industry will have to look at new technologies, such as GM and sensing techniques, alongside old technologies, to see what they can offer in terms of reductions in, or alternatives to, pesticides.
