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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of restrictions on the import of forage maize seed treated with (a) Kori bird deterrent, (b) Redigo M fungicide and (c) Force insecticide on levels of maize production in the UK.

From 1 January 2024, treated seeds can only be used if they are treated with Plant Protection Products authorised in GB. After we left the EU, transitional arrangements were put in place so that seeds treated with products authorised for use in the EU but not GB could continue to be imported, marketed and used. These arrangements come to an end on 31 December 2023. Industry has had the opportunity over the last three years to apply for the relevant GB authorisations, and the Health and Safety Executive has highlighted the actions that they need to take.