Report Confirms Essential Value of Neonicotinoid Pesticides for Europe

Brussels (ots/PRNewswire) -

A Humboldt Forum for Food and Agriculture report highlights that
if neonicotinoid seed treatments were no longer available, impact on
the EU economy could be as great as EUR4.5 billion with a loss of at
least 50,000 farm jobs across the EU. Over a 5-year period, the EU
could lose up to EUR17 billion and face a significant increase in
pest pressure.

"These figures demonstrate the value this technology brings to EU
farming", Friedhelm Schmider, Director General of European Crop
Protection Association (ECPA) commented. "They contribute more than
EUR2 billion annually to commodity crop revenues, and reduce
production costs by EUR1 billion across the EU", he added.

The independent study confirms the economic and environmental
value of seed treatment neonicotinoids for Europe. The report
includes the example of Germany where oilseed rape growers rely
highly on neonicotinoid technology to remain competitive in the
global market; and Spain, where sunflower growers can achieve better
yields through earlier planting.

The study underlines the importance of maintaining a range of
innovative crop protection solutions for managing the pressures of
pests and disease, and enabling efficient use of natural resources
(land and water).

"The report has revealed substantial consequences for the economy
and the environment if there would be constraints on the availability
of neonicotinoid seed treatments" Friedhelm Schmider concluded.

ECPA's Press Release online:

http://www.ecpa.eu/news-item/pests/01-14-2013/704/report-confirms-
essential-value-neonicotinoid-pesticides-europe

Notes to editors:

- The report was conducted by Steffen Noleppa (agripol), Thomas Hahn et al.
(a-connect)
- Based on an analysis of 10 EU countries (Germany, Poland, Hungary, Romania,
Slovenia, Italy, Spain, France, the UK and the Netherlands) and 6 focus crops (corn,
sugar beet, oilseed rape, wheat, barley and sunflower) the project team assessed the
potential value of neonicotinoid seed treatment to EU societies, economies and
selected stakeholders
- The report is supported by Copa-Cogeca, ESA and ECPA and financed by Bayer
CropScience and Syngenta.
- Neonicotinoid based pesticides have received recent press attention in
discussions about its potential risks to European honey bee populations; however,
European scientific authority EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) will release a
report later this week which will scientifically review the risk of neonicotinoids to
bees.

Further information can be found athttp://www.neonicreport.com

The European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) represents the crop protection industry
interests at European level. Its members include all major companies and national
associations across Europe.
Contact:
Anna Seretny, Communications Coordinator, anna.seretny@ecpa.eu
Angel Martin, Governmental Affairs Manager, angel.martin@ecpa.eu
Switchboard : +32(0)2-663-1550
For more general information:
http://www.ecpa.eu - http://www.hungry4change.eu- facebook.com/cropprotection
[http://www.facebook.com/cropprotection ] - twitter.com/cropprotection
[https://twitter.com/#!/cropprotection ]

ots Originaltext: European Crop Protection Association
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