N eonicotinoid crop protection products have been used since 1994. Due to their effec- tiveness they have dramatically changed farming in Europe. For one, because the products have improved pest control, thereby boosting yields. At the same time, they have decreased the use of foliar sprays, additional chemical applications and thus lowering costs and environmental impact. By decreasing yield variation from year to year, the products have also reduced risks for farmers. In 2012, on request of the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) carried out a review of studies regarding the impact of neonic- otinoids on bees. Following the publication of EFSA’s conclusions in early 2013, the European Commission restricted the application of the three neonicotinoids clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam for seed treatment, soil application and foliar treatment in crops attractive to bees by Implementing Regulation (EU) No 485/2013. As of 1 December 2013, placing seeds treated with plant protection products contain- ing one of the three substances on the market was prohibited in the European Union (EU). While the ban does not include a time limit, the Regulation does foresee a review of new sci- entific information within two years of its imple- mentation. EFSA’s conclusions on the new data were expected to be published in early 2017, but instead are now expected towards the end of 2017. And based on their conclusions, the European Commission is expected to take a decision whether to lift, maintain or amend the ban. In the coming months, we also expect the rulings of the European Court of Justice in diverse law suits filed by Bayer CropScience, Syngenta Crop Protection and BASF Agro against the Commission related to the restrictions already in place. “While the court case only looks at and rules on the current restrictions, its outcome is indi- rectly of equal importance for the proposed new measures. Bayer filed the case to seek clarity on the legal basis of the European Commission’s deci- sion” says Martin Gruss, Global Head SeedGrowth at Bayer Division Crop Science. “The court will not decide on a scientific re-evaluation of the substances but on the legal validity of the restric- tions. The company believes that the decision of the European Commission to ban certain neon- icotinoid uses on a number of crops is unjustified, disproportionate and goes beyond the existing reg- ulatory framework. In particular the decision was based on an as yet unapproved new risk assess- ment approach proposed by the European Food Safety Authority.” To provide more insight on this topic, and assess the actual impact of the neonics ban on European farming, several studies have been car- ried out. In January 2017, the research agency HFFA Research GmbH carried out a study to calculate the economic and environmental impacts of the ban, focusing specifically on the impact on oilseed rape cultivation. And in May of the same year, LMC International carried out a similar study on the eco- nomic impact of the neonic ban in sugar beets. AIM The aim of the HFFA study was to identify the major economic and non-pollinator-related envi- ronmental consequences of banning the three neonicotinoids in the EU using the case study of oilseed rape production. The three main drivers impacting the economic performance of European oilseed rape producers following the neonicotinoid ban were found to be: 1.  Yield depression: a negative yield impact of four per cent (weighted average) in oilseed rape pro- duction in the EU; 2.  Quality losses: on average 6.3 per cent of the realised harvest saw quality losses at a cost of € 36.50 per ton affected; 3.  More foliar applications: additional 0.73 appli- cations per hectare (weighted average), mainly pyrethroids. “The banning of neonics has resulted in a biodiversity loss the size of 330,000 hectares of rainforest.” IMPACT In oilseed rape, the three impacts the neonic ban can be translated into economic and environmen- tal costs. The costs for the European oilseed rape industry related to the neonicotinoid ban amount to almost € 900 million: • Almost € 350 million market revenue losses • More than € 50 million revenue losses due to lower quality • Close to € 120 million additional production costs • Well above € 360 million in upstream and down- stream industries. The ban also has significant environmental impacts, both within the EU and on a global scale: •  Globally, shifting oilseed rape production outside the EU causes 80.2 million tons of CO2 emissions, 1,300 mil- lion m3 additional water WHY IT MATTERS The restriction on the use of neonicotinoids has resulted in severe economic losses for the European seed sector, most prominently in oilseed rape and sugar beet. Overall, the economic cost to the European oilseed rape industry: almost €900 million per year. Additionally, the ban also had significant environmental impact, both within the EU and on a global scale, globally shifting oilseed rape production outside the EU triggered a conversion of more than 500,000 ha of grass land and natural habitats to arable land equalling the loss of over 300,000 ha of biodiversity-rich rainforest. For sugar beet, there have been severe yield losses, leading to a reduction in farm income. This, combined with additional sprays, lower factory utilisation, and reduced sugar output, would lead to an associated income loss for Europe is estimated at 0.8-1.6 billion Euros. SEVERE ECONOMIC LOSSES FOR THE EU THE IMPACT OF THE BAN ON NEONICOTINOIDS. BY: MARCEL BRUINS 18 I EUROPEAN SEED I EUROPEAN-SEED.COM