Drop in cereals production expected

A lack of plant protection products is likely to result in a drop in EU cereals production this year, claims CopaCogeca.

Figures from the Brussels-based group, which represents farming unions and cooperatives, suggest production could fall by 7.5% as a result of a lack of approved agrichemicals.

The group estimates cereals production will reach 296 million tonnes this year, down on 320.5m tonnes last year.

Wheat production is predicted to fall by 6.8% to 144.4m tonnes, from 154.9m.

Barley production is also expected to fall to 53.476m tonnes – down 6.1% from 56.930m previously.

Chairman of the group’s cereals party, Max Schulman, said: “It could fall further due to the poor weather conditions like the recent drought and heatwaves across Europe which caused crops to suffer a lot.

“The winter crops nevertheless look disease and ensure we have enough feed supplies for our livestock,” added Mr Schulman.

“That is why farmers need a good tool box at their disposal to protect the health of their crops and inputs such as fertiliser.

“Current European policy in relation to Plant Protection Products (PPPs) must be improved to ensure this.

“There is a serious lack of PPPs available and also too much red tape and a lengthy approval system.”

Last week, AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds estimated the total acreage for cereals and oilseeds in the UK to be down 2% on last year.

The wheat area is down 3% to 4.62m acres, while the total area of oilseed rape is down 7% to 1.54m acres.

This is against a 3% increase in barley area to 2.69m acres including a 4% increase in winter barley acreage and a 1% increase on oats acreage.

Figures for Scotland predict a 6% drop in barley acreage, with the spring barley area at its lowest level since 2010.

The drop is being blamed on a lack of plant protection products.