Brussels, Belgium
January 14, 2013

Reacting to a new study published today by the Humboldt Forum for Food and Agriculture on the benefits of neonicotinoid seed treatments in the EU arable crops sector, Copa-Cogeca said the treatment improves crop yields significantly which is crucial given the extreme market volatility, rising input costs, poor weather conditions and growing world food demand. The treatment provides economic gains of 4 billion euros, boosting employment in the EU rural areas and demonstrates the benefits of research and innovation.

Results from this study highlight that the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments in agriculture represent not only a serious economic advantage for farmers but guarantee through better yields more raw materials for the food industry and more feed for livestock. This is more important than ever given the current low world grain stocks and poor world grain harvest in 2012, the worst in five years. The treatment protects against crop damage caused by insects, especially rapeseed, where often no alternative treatment is possible. Without it, there would a substantial decline in rapeseed production in the EU and less feed and raw materials available for the food industry and more environmental damage. Farmers would have to completely change their business model and production methods. The treatment also has sanitary advantages, ensuring healthy crops and lower levels of mycotoxines in cereals. At the same, it provides employment for 50,000 people in the EU rural areas which is particularly important in the current economic crisis.

Copa-Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen stressed “This is the first time that a study of this kind which quantifies the socio-economic advantages in the EU of this seed treatment process has been carried out. The study highlights that agricultural production can no longer be taken for granted and that farmers need a comprehensive technological toolbox in order to improve resource efficiency and remain competitive”.

Website: http://www.copa-cogeca.be

Published: January 15, 2013