Brussels, 14/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 14 January, Copa-Cogeca welcomed the publication of a new study on the benefits of neonicotinoid seed treatments in the EU arable crops sector. This new study was published by the Humboldt Forum for Food and Agriculture, and EU agricultural organisations note that this treatment significantly improves crop yields, “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 and boosts employment in EU rural areas.
In a press release, Copa-Cogeca explains that the results from this study highlight that the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments in the agriculture sector 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 crops, especially rapeseed, against damage caused by insects - where often no alternative treatment is possible. The agricultural organisations explain that “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 mycotoxins 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 that 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”. (LC/trans/fl)