Farmgate values could drop by 33%, says AHDB endocrine disruptor report

of changing availability of active ingredients classed as endocrine disruptors (ED) in plant protection products.

In the very worst case scenario, across all 51 crops assessed the total reduction is estimated as 33 per cent of the farmgate value (£3,003million) but individual agriculture, horticulture and forestry sectors are affected differently.

Click here to read the AHDB report in full

NFU vice president Guy Smith said: “We welcome today's AHDB report investigating the review of the endocrine disruptor (ED) definitions and its impact on the availability of plant protection products (PPPs) on food and plant production in the UK.

“The ED definition is the reason two thirds¹ of

the active ingredients have been assessed as being at risk by the Andersons’ report, commissioned by the NFU, CPA and AIC.

“This report illustrates the potentially calamitous impact of one of the most significant EU regulatory decisions, which threatens the accessibility of UK and EU farmers to PPPs. Additionally, it substantiates the need for farmers to respond to the consultation on the review of the ED definitions before January 16 2015.

“It is critical that the review of the endocrine disruptor definition is based on the best scientific understanding of the risk. Currently, an active ingredient cannot be used in a PPP if it classed as an ED regardless of potency of effect, and evidence of harm.

“This report builds upon the economic findings of the Andersons’ report on loss of PPPs and adds specific detail and emphasis to this crucial part of regulation. It will strengthen the evidence base for our lobbying, as part of our Healthy Harvest campaign, at an EU level to change the way these vital PPPs are regulated to a risk based process, to ensure our farmers can keep producing food and plants for the public.”