The environmental watchdog for England is launching an investigation into Defra’s emergency authorisation of a neonicotinoid pesticide for sugar beet seed in 2023 and 2024, under the previous Conservative government.  

The investigation by the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) is seeking to determine whether there were serious failures to comply with a number of environmental laws in relation to emergency authorisations granted for the use of Cruiser SB (thiamethoxam) on sugar beet seed.  

See also: Green light for neonics use in sugar beet – but only if needed

Key aspects of the investigation will likely include:

• The justification for the emergency authorisation of Cruiser SB
• The assessment of risks to the environment and bee populations
• Compliance with legal frameworks designed to protect environmental health.

The OEP’s decision to launch an investigation follows a complaint submitted by environmental law group ClientEarth.

It follows the result of the general election on 4 July, which resulted in a change in government to Labour.

Neonicotinoid pesticides have been banned for use in the EU since 2013 after their use was linked to a decline in bee populations and other pollinators.

However, since leaving the bloc in 2016, the Conservative government had used its Brexit powers to grant emergency authorisations for use of neonics in sugar beet seed to protect crops from virus yellows disease, which can rob crops of 50% of yields.    

The Labour Party pledged in its election manifesto to end exemptions for bee-killing pesticides.

NFU stance

NFU Sugar Board chairman Michael Sly was asked about the implications for sugar beet and neonics under a Labour government at the NFU’s latest council meeting on 25 June.

He said: “I think we have been aware for a long time that that was Labour’s policy, so the industry has been working on its virus yellow pathway for the future.

“Bearing in mind we are the only country within Europe that is still using it, the industry has put in an application until 2025, but it is extremely unlikely that that will be granted.

“We do owe it to the growers to make that application, and we will work with the government on gene-editing solutions.”

He added: “I think 2025 will be a difficult year for us, but there might be some varietal and other plant breeding stuff and other chemistry that comes along from 2026 that will help mitigate.

“It won’t solve the problem but it should help the situation improve.”

Defra plans to work constructively with the OEP as they take forward this investigation. The outcome could have significant implications for future environmental policy and pesticide regulation in the UK.

A Defra spokesperson said: “We are at a crisis point – nature is dying across Britain. This government will change existing policies to ban the use of bee-killing pesticides to protect our vital pollinators.”