Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, for what reason he has granted permission for the use of Cruiser SB.

A detailed statement of reasons for the decision on the application for emergency authorisation for the use of Cruiser SB on sugar beet crops in 2022 has been published on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/neonicotinoid-product-as-seed-treatment-for-sugar-beet-emergency-authorisation-application.

The Secretary of State found that requirements for emergency authorisation were met and that there are clear and substantial benefits to crop production from the use of Cruiser SB in a year with high pest pressures. Potential risks to bees can be mitigated to a low level and, with strict conditions being placed upon use, are outweighed by the benefits of use in these circumstances.

A threshold has been applied to the decision such that the seed treatment may only go ahead should the threshold be met.