PLANT PROTECTION

PRODUCTS: THE FACTS,

THE FUTURE
ELISABETH LACOSTE, DIRECTOR

INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF EUROPEAN BEET GROWERS

32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

CIBE represents and defends
sugar beet growers’ interests
at European and international
level

23 MEMBERS regional or national beet

growers’ associations

130 000 growers Germany, Austria, Belgium,

from 16 European Czech Republic, Denmark,
countries Finland, France, Hungary,
producing sugar Italy, Netherlands, Poland,
beet Romania, Slovak Republic,
Sweden

+ United-Kingdom &
Switzerland

32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

 Sugar beet in Europe
A « small » crop with important
economic weight

1.5 million hectares

World’s 3rd largest sugar producer

(16 -17 million tonnes of sugar) 1st
beet sugar producer

World’s 2nd largest sugar importer

(~3 million tonnes, 75% from
developing countries)

World’s 2nd largest sugar consumer

World’s 5th- largest ethanol producer

32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

 THE FACTS

“The Earth is what we all have in common”

(Wandell Berry)

▪ HEALTH MATTERS
▪ ENVIRONMENT MATTERS
▪ BIODIVERSITY MATTERS

➢ IN A CONTEXT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

FAVOURING PESTS, WEEDS AND PLANT
DISEASES
➢ CROP PROTECTION MATTERS
32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London
THE FACTS IN EUROPE

➢ IN A CONTEXT OF INCREASED CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT AND ADVOCACY

➢ APPROVAL OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCES IN CHEMICAL PLANT PROTECTION
PRODUCTS (PPPs) IN THE EU IS UNDER THE STRICTEST AND EXTREMELY
TRANSPARENT APPROVAL PROCESS
▪ Active substances can only be approved for use in plant protection products if they fulfil the
approval criteria (laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009).
▪ Member States, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Commission, as well as
UK Health and Safety Executive, evaluate every active substance for safety before it can be
placed on the market and used in a plant protection product.
▪ Procedural steps are highly regulated and adapting to new additional and restrictive
criteria (ex. endocrine disrupting properties, protection of wild pollinators…);
▪ Initial approval of an active substance is valid for a limited period and the approval of an
active substance needs to be reviewed periodically. A renewal of approval is only granted
after the substance is re-evaluated.
▪ Registration, monitoring of impacts and database are transparent and updated

32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

THE FACTS FOR EU SUGAR
BEET GROWERS

An increased
challenge: a
shrinking toolbox
for crop protection

Sugar beet growers in the EU have lost over 25 active substances since
2018.
Emergency authorizations no longer possible for prohibited active
substances (ex. neonicotinoids)
Farmers are becoming increasingly deprived of effective tools to protect
sugar beet against harmful organisms (weeds, pests and diseases.)
Managing resistance is becoming an issue
Risk of crop failures (with up to 70% yield reduction) is increasing

32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London ITB

THE FACTS FOR EU SUGAR
BEET GROWERS
Evolution of sugar yield (tonnes of white sugar per ha harvested)
14

13

12

11

10

EU27+UK EU14+UK 5-year average

Europe 5-year average sugar yield per hectare is more volatile and has
started to decrease after two decades of constant growth.

EU sugar beet productivity is stagnating/decreasing → Competitiveness

and attractiveness of sugar beet has decreased.

32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London ITB

 THE FIGURES ACHIEVED BY
EUROPEAN SUGAR BEET
GROWERS
Development of sustainability indicators, of which the use of PPPs
(documentation & record keeping by EU growers already part of certification
schemes)

A reduction of chemical fungicide and insecticide use in sugar beet (see below
in France since 1997 (in g of active substance/ha))

Seed treatment has allowed reduced use of chemical PPPs after sowing

Question: how to maintain this result with a shrinking toolbox ?

01 — Roxborough House, 1997

02 — Opera House, 1685

32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

 THE FIGURES ACHIEVED BY
EU FARMERS
➢ The use and risk of chemical pesticides shows an overall decrease - in the
first four years - of 33% from the baseline period of 2015-2017

➢ The use of more hazardous pesticides shows an overall decrease - in the

first four years - of 21% from the baseline period of 2015-2017.

01 — Roxborough House, 1997

02 — Opera House, 1685

➢ The EU Commission publishes data on the quantities of active substances
placed on the market in different types of PPPs. The data was published for
the first time in 2022, covering the period 2011-2019, and will be updated
32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London annually.
 THE FUTURE IN EUROPE
➢ EUROPE AT THE FOREFRONT TO PRODUCE
BETTER WITH LESS INPUTS / IMPACTS
▪ EU Green Deal: Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies

➢ SUSTAINABLE USE OF PLANT PROTECTION

PRODUCTS IN THE EU:
▪ a further legally binding target of 50% reduction requested to
EU farmers of the use of chemical PPPs by 2030
▪ a further 50% (or more?) reduction of the use of more
hazardous PPPs by 2030
▪ a stricter use or a ban of chemical PPPs in sensitive areas
▪ stricter mandatory rules in the implementation of Integrated
Pest (IPM)
➢ to be finalized soon!

32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

THE FUTURE IN EUROPE
“NEW” CROP MODERNIZATION IN EUROPE:
INNOVATIVE, ALTERNATIVE & COMBINED
STRATEGIES, TOOLS AND APPROACHES, ARE Farmdroid
NEEDED…
New adapted beet seed varieties (tolerant /resistant varieties)
Effective low-risk PPPs and biocontrol solutions
Agronomic practices - “mutually beneficial” - (flower strips, companion
plants, etc.)
New innovative agronomic practices (complex combination of
agronomy & ecology, reduction of field size, etc.)
New digital age: innovation in precision farming and digital tools:
- Improved monitoring
- Seeding and weeding robots
- Mechanical weeding
- Precision spraying

…AS WELL AS TIME AND FINANCIAL MEANS FOR

NEW INVESTMENT 32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London
 THE FACTS / FIGURES OUTSIDE
EUROPE ?
✓ Chemical PPPs: a different reality in Brazil, Australia, Guatemala,
India etc.
✓ Regulatory framework not as strict, transparent or accurate
compared to the EU
✓ Numerous active substances authorized in sugar cane
producing countries are no longer authorized at all in the EU
✓ Not the same level of protection of the environment /
biodiversity / health
➢ Hard questions :
▪ Robustness of some non-EU certification schemes ?
▪ Level playing field: impacts on trade and competitiveness ?
▪ Awareness vis-à-vis European farmers/consumers? “we don’t
want to import what is illegal to produce at home”

32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

THE FACTS / FIGURES OUTSIDE THE
EU ?
➢ Transparency and accuracy with regards to regulatory
framework on active substances used in PPPs in some
countries are questionable:

▪ India: “The review of the (over)use of pesticides in India merits

a particular focus as the practice is currently regulated
through the Insecticides Act dating back from 1968 and
several of these pesticides under use in India are now banned
in the EU” (Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) in support of
Free Trade Agreement and Investment Protection Agreement
negotiations between the European Union and the Republic of India,
Draft Final Report, Case studies, October 2023)

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32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

THE FACTS / FIGURES OUTSIDE
EUROPE ?
➢ Numerous active substances authorized in sugar cane in some
countries but no longer authorized at all in the EU

Ex. Herbicides in Brazil (Source: PPPs database Brazil )

Authorised for use on sugar

Status in EU
cane in Brazil
Ametryn Authorisation expired in 2002
Aryloxyalkonoic acid Alkyloxyl and aryl mercury compounds are banned in the EU
Atrazine Authorization expired in 2004
Diuron Approval expired 30/09/2020
Ethoxysulfuron Approval expired 31/03/2014
Glufosinate Approval expired 31/07/2018
Haloxifop-P-methyl Approval expired 31/12/2020
Hexazinone Essential use only/used until 2004
Imazapic Not approved
Imazapir Approval expired on 31 December 2007
Metsulfuron-Methyl Approved until 31/3/2024
MSMA Authorization expired in 2002
Oxadiazon Approval expired 31/12/2018
Oxyfluorfen Approved until 31/3/2024
S-Metolachlor Approved until 15/11/2024 - but non-renewal of approval has been decided
Tebuthiuron Approval expired on 31 December 2007
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Trifluralin Non inclusion voted May 2010.
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32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

 THE FACTS / FIGURES OUTSIDE
EUROPE ?
➢ Numerous active substances authorized in sugar cane in some
countries but no longer authorized at all in the EU
Ex. Insecticides in Brazil (Source: PPPs database Brazil )
Authorised for use on sugar
Status in EU
cane in Brazil
Alpha-cypermethrin Approval expired 7/6/2021
Carbosulfan Approval expired on 13 December 2008
Bifentrin Approval expired 31/07/2019
Chlorfluazuron Approval expired on 31 December 2007
Fipronil Approval expired 30/09/2017
Approval expired 01/12/2020, restrictions of sowing treated
Imidacloprid seed outdoors applied from late 2018
Lufenuron Approval expired 31/12/2019
Methomyl Approval expired 31/8/2019
Novaluron Applicant withdrew its application on 29 February 2012
Teflubenzuron Approval expired 30/11/2019
Approval expired30/4/2019, restrictions of sowing treated
Thiamethoxan seed outdoors applied from late 2018
Triflumurom Approval expired 31/3/2021
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32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

THE FACTS / FIGURES OUTSIDE
EUROPE ?
➢ Numerous active substances authorized in sugar cane in some
countries but no longer authorized at all in the EU

Ex. Insecticides in Australia (Source: APVMA PubCRIS database)

Authorised for use on

sugar cane in Status in EU
Australia
BIFENTHRIN Approval expired 31/07/2019
CADUSAFOS Not approved . Period of grace expired 18/12/2008 at the latest
CHLORPYRIFOS Approval expired 16/01/2020
Approval expired 31/01/2019, restrictions of sowing treated
CLOTHIANIDIN
seed outdoors applied from late 2018
DIAZINON Not approved . Period of grace expired 6/12/2008 at the latest
FIPRONIL Approval expired 30/09/2017
Approval expired 01/12/2020, restrictions of sowing treated
IMIDACLOPRID
seed outdoors applied from late 2018
Not approved . Period of grace shall expire not later than on
PERMETHRIN
31 December 2003
TRICHLORFON Not approved. Grace period expired 21/11/2008
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32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

THE FACTS / FIGURES OUTSIDE
EUROPE ?
➢ Numerous active substances authorized in sugar cane in some
countries but no longer authorized at all in the EU
Ex. Insecticides in Guatemala
Authorised for use
on sugar cane in Status in EU
Guatemala
Acephate Excluded from list of approved AS in March 2003
Beta Cyfluthrin Approval expired 20/7/2020
CHLORPYRIFOS Approval expired 16/01/2020
Approval expired 31/01/2019, restrictions of sowing treated seed outdoors applied
CLOTHIANIDIN from late 2018
DIAZINON Not approved . Period of grace expired 6/12/2008 at the latest
FIPRONIL Approval expired 30/09/2017
Approved until 9/12/2025, but seen as a neonic 2.0 - no chance of being allowed in
Flupyradifuron e.g. France under current national legislation
Approval expired 01/12/2020, restrictions of sowing treated seed outdoors applied
IMIDACLOPRID from late 2018
Novaluron Applicant withdrew its application on 29 February 2012
PROFENOFOS Period of grace expired on 31 December 2007 at the latest
Terbufos Period of grace expired on 31 December 2007 at the latest
Thiacloprid Approval expired 3/2/2020
Approval expired30/4/2019, restrictions of sowing treated seed outdoors applied
THIAMETHOXAM from late 2018
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Triflumuron Approval expired 31/3/2021
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Thiocyclam Period of grace expired on 31 December 2007 at the latest

32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

THE FACTS / FIGURES OUTSIDE
EUROPE ?

➢ Another reality in sugar producing countries outside

Europe.

➢ But an active substance in PPPs analyzed as

dangerous/harmful in Europe… is dangerous/harmful
everywhere!

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32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

WHAT NECESSARY FUTURE OUTSIDE EUROPE ?
➢ Harmonizing regulatory framework: banning dangerous active
substances everywhere

➢ Quantifying in establishing indicators / evolution in terms of chemical

PPPs used

➢ Engaging firmly in reduction of chemical PPPs

UN COP15- Montreal – 19 December 2022 - Kunming-Montreal Global
Biodiversity Framework
TARGET 7: what implementation outside Europe?
“Reduce pollution risks and the negative impact of pollution from all sources, by 2030, to levels that are
not harmful to biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, considering cumulative effects,
including: reducing excess nutrients lost to the environment by at least half including through more
efficient nutrient cycling and use; reducing the overall risk from pesticides and highly hazardous
chemicals by at least half including through integrated pest management, based on science, taking
into account food security and livelihoods; and also preventing, reducing, and working towards
eliminating plastic pollution.”

➢ Implementing level playing field (notably in bilateral EU FTA (TSD

chapter))

32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

“The future is not what happens
next, but what we do next”

(Henry Bergson)

32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

Thank you for
your attention

www.cibe-europe.eu

32nd ISO Seminar, 21-22 November 2023, London

www.sustainablesugar.eu

@SugarBeetEurope