Sugar Beet plays a key part in our British farming industry.

That’s why I shared the industry’s concern about the impact of the Yellow Virus disease on last year’s harvest – prompting me to visit local growers and meet with representatives of British Sugar and NFU Sugar.

Working closely with British Sugar and NFU Sugar, I wrote to Ministers in the Autumn to help make the case for emergency Authorisation of the neonicotinoid seed treatment, Cruiser SB.

As someone deeply committed to, and with a deep passion for, our agricultural sector, the importance of environmental and wildlife protection must not be forgotten. However, having been fully briefed on the clear programmes of ongoing work in place to develop disease resistant varieties and explore more innovative approaches to protecting crops in the near future, it is evident that these solutions will not be ready in the next three years.

It is therefore crucial that Cruiser SB is available temporarily – to allow the industry to get through a crisis that really is the ‘perfect storm’.

Rest assured, I will continue to follow this issue closely.

To see more about my recent visit to local growers, please click. here

For a full breakdown of my views on this matter, please see my letter to the Minister below.