EUROPEAN-SEED.COM I EUROPEAN SEED I 37 AN: When the products are applied via seed treatment, besides considerably reducing the amount of active ingredients used by the crop, there is a significant increase of effectiveness in the application. That happens because the product is applied in small amount directly in the seed which is the pests and diseases target during the crop establishment. Besides that, it is very important to emphasize that the industrial/professional seed treatment dras- tically reduces the chemical exposure of all field workers and the environment, a great differentiator of this technology. The chal- lenge of the industry is to keep showing that, year after year, the technologies and the application techniques are being enhanced, helping the adoption of this safer innovation. ES: THE NEONICS BAN HAS DEPRIVED EU FARMERS OF A KEY TOOL TO STAVE OF INSECT PESTS. WHAT ALTERNATIVES ARE THERE? AN: Our industry is in a constant run to bring new solutions to address the neonicotinoids ban. Our company in 2017 registered an innovative solution to efficiently support farmers in the lack of neonics. The first registration of the product (Lumiposa® ), in the EU was for oilseed rape and in its first year the product has been strongly recognized by farmers. This is a solution that addresses the regulatory requirements and the key farmers’ needs. New crops and countries are in our product registration plans, and we feel this will revolutionize our pest management in a more responsible way. In the same direction, we will soon have a new fungicide seed treatment at our disposal, which demonstrates our strong innovation focus. ES: ARE THERE OTHER DOSSIERS WHERE THE EU TOOK THE WRONG DECISION? AN: It is very hard to judge the EU Commission decisions. If you consider the way the technologies have been analyzed in the rest of the world, it is clear that EU’s processes are stricter. But I do believe that we should change our perspective and start seeing this as an opportunity to innovate, invest resources and find new solutions to address the main issues that our farmers still face in their fields. In parallel, we need to continue working with the European Commission, so we can provide them with scientific data to properly answer questions and move together with good sense towards a more sustainable agriculture in the continent. We have passed the time to discuss about the neonic decision; now we must focus on R&D investments to develop solutions that balance regulatory objectives and farmers’ needs. ES: CERTAIN CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS ARE STRONGLY CRITICAL OF SYNTHETIC PESTICIDES AND MANY OTHER INNOVATIONS IN AGRICULTURE. HOW CAN WE TURN THE TIDE? AN: I believe that the industry has a very relevant role to help demystifying the common-sense view about pesticides. Society concerns are understandable and deserve proper attention and scientific information. The industry has the responsibility to show that, nowadays, there are responsible companies deliv- ering technologies that address both consumers’ concerns and farmers’ needs. It is about time for us to start having a healthy discussion with society showing solutions, innovations and proven scientific data that will help avoid misunderstandings and ideological discussions.