Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
DEFRA's policy on the use of neonicotinoids was questioned.
What is his Department's policy on the use of neonicotinoids in agriculture?
DEFRA applies the precautionary principle in relation to pesticides. We therefore supported a ban in 2018 on the use of neonicotinoids to treat crops. Given what the current science tells us about these pesticides, they can be authorised for use only on an emergency basis if very specific circumstances are met and with the appropriate environmental safeguards.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Farmers in the east of England welcomed a dispensation allowing use of neonics to treat aphids, seeking reassurance that this would continue until an evidence-based alternative is available.
What I want from the Secretary of State is some reassurance for the farmers in the east of England that, until a suitable alternative to neonics that is evidence based is available, he will continue to use the dispensation so that we can properly support our farmers to grow crops and protect them from aphids.
These are emergency authorisations that we grant on an annual basis. In the case of this application for the current year, we added additional conditions to those proposed by the applicant—in particular, adding another 10 months before a flowering crop could be sown and increasing the pest threshold.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific assurance that emergency authorisation will continue until an evidence-based alternative is available was not provided.
Response accuracy