Following this post about neonics and sugar beet from mid December, permission has been granted by the UK government for use of neonicotinoid pesticides on sugar beet in 2021.
Today’s blog by pesticide expert Prof Dave Goulson is well worth a read on the Wildlife and Countryside Link blog.
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After reading that I find it very hard to understand the logic in our governments decision.
I agree with all Professor Goulson says, it is all a fine example of pressure groups such as the NFU and Pesticide manufacturers having their way to the great detriment of the wider environment and to our bees.
This decision is no doubt one of many very negative examples that are likely to come from this rotten Government of the effects of the U.K. leaving the EU.
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Now the govs here and in Europe have blinked. My money is on the derogations continuing while breeding produces resistance. Which would be quicker if gene editing was used. If the odds are long enough my money would also be on a derogation for gene editing on sugar beet as start.
It is a useful break crop. Though some farmers who are interested in soil structure are turning away from it if they are direct drilling.
If production declines and processing factories close, jobs will go. There are also massive greenhouses attached to some factories using waste heat to produce tomatoes and,I think, pharmaceutical cannabis,, saving greenhouse gas.
It’s a lovely conundrum.
Personally I think it needs to be kept out of the environment ,like DDT has been.