Two years ago the EU restricted the use of three neonicotinoids. How did this EU decision affect your business and the launch of new products?

Gruss: “We are still convinced that neonicotinoids are safe for bees when used responsibly, properly and according to the label instructions. Like many people around the world, we are very concerned about bee health. But the restrictions have not led to any visible improvement to bee health. It is true that the EU decision has affected our business, but more importantly, farmers throughout Europe are feeling the impact of the restrictions: losses in both crop yields and quality which lead to loss of income. Today, as a result of the restrictions, less efficient solutions to effectively control many devastating pests are available in the market. This is not only a challenge for our customers, but also for an innovation-driven company like Bayer. In some crops, we are able to offer alternatives, but they don’t offer the same protection as the restricted seed treatments. Our experts in R&D are working hard to find new solutions but this will take years with uncertain outcomes in the regulatory approval process, due to the still pending requirements for registrations of seed treatment products in the EU.”

Which EU crops and EU countries are hit most?

Gruss: “We have received a lot of feedback from many farmers, seed breeders, seed treaters, retailers, distributors and crop advisors across Europe. One example is the impact of the restrictions on oilseed rape production where farmers have been highly exposed to flea beetles and turnip root flies, for instance. Currently, there is no seed treatment product available to control flea beetles in oilseed rape. They have no alternative but to spray products that are often older, less beneficial and less effective. At the same time, resistance problems are occurring due to the restricted spectrum of products available now.”

Kunz: “A recent study by the Newcastle University estimates that growers in the UK had a loss of 22 million pounds sterling due to the missing option of neonicotinoid treated seed, suffering yield losses or complete loss of planted acres and additional cost for foliar applications. The situation in Germany is no better: the oilseed rape acreage is expected to decline by ten percent in 2015 – which certainly won’t be helpful for the bees, for whom oilseed rape is very important forage in the spring.”