Potato Review

BIOSTIMULANTS to rely on pesticides and fungicides. This all seems at odds with the Government’s ELMS initiative and a backward step for an industry that’s aiming to be sustainable and\ reduce its carbon emissions.” More potential feedback Some in the industry hope the delay will have enabled more industry members and wider stakeholders - including food retailers, environmental bodies and growers - to respond to the consultation. The British Biostimulant Efficacy and Safety is a collaboration between the biostimulant industry, educational institutions and environmental groups that can evidence the environmental and safety benefits of using biostimulants for food production in the UK. It was formed in response to the Defra consultation and has been urging conventional and organic growers, as well as manufacturers, suppliers and other biostimulant users, to join its collective in providing evidence of biostimulants’ efficacy and safety in response to the consultation. The group said in a website statement: “The deadline for responses has now passed, but we would urge you to lodge your interest in this ‘consultation’ process along with your comments and concerns by contacting biostimulants@adas.co.uk .” Brexit and the EU In 2022 the EU will implement EU Fertiliser Regulation, (EC) 219/1009. This will require suppliers of naturally-derived biostimulants to have carried out efficacy trials and produce safety and toxicity dossiers – to the same levels as required for chemical pesticides – to justify the claims of the effect and safety of their biostimulants. As part of its withdrawal agreement, the UK also committed to implementing this. Simon has spoken out against this decision and is hopeful that a less stringent policy will be adopted in the UK. He said: “Optimistically, perhaps Defra has reflected on the course of action proposed and realised the pointless bureaucracy it would impose and are therefore defining a much lighter-touch certification scheme, in the light of the needs to support sustainable agriculture.” One member of the BBESG was cynical about the need for the consultation in the first place, stating via the group’s website that he was “at a loss to why there is a need for tighter regulations”. “After all, by the number of incidents relating to biostimulants in the last 40 years it looks like the existing measure work. If it’s not broken, why fix it?” Biostimulant crop trials salad potatoes Keep in the know corteva.co.uk/signup @ CortevaUK Zorvec Endavia ® is a co-formulation of Zorvec active fungicide and benthiavalicarb. The most robust and effective foundation for your Blight programme is now available in a convenient 5L bottle. Talk to your advisor or find out more at corteva.co.uk USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. Always read the label and product information before use. For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label. Corteva Agriscience UK Limited, CPC2 Capital Park, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5XE. Tel: 01462 457272. ® , ™ Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2021 Corteva. Zorvec Endavia ® contains oxathiapiprolin and benthiavalicarb. Discover more at corteva.co.uk Technical Hotline: 0800 689 8899 E-mail: ukhotline@corteva.com The very latest Late Blight control. Visit the Corteva exhibitor stand at BP2021 to discover more