Government grants use of banned pesticide for fourth consecutive year

18 January 2024

Following the Government’s emergency authorisation of Cruiser SB on sugar beet crops Wildlife and Countryside Link has called on Government to offer more support to nature-friendly farming.

Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:

“On the day its own advisors warn that the UK is off-track to meet environment targets, and highlights farming pollution as a major issue, the Government has granted sugar-beet farms the right to use a banned bee-killing pesticide for a fourth year.

“This decision flies in the face of ecological sense. These pesticides are banned for a reason, they are a risk to our wildlife and to human health. Industry promised to find replacements, and Government promised better environmental protections. But what we’re getting is delays and yet more broken promises, that leave the UK increasingly falling behind on pesticide action.”