THE PROVISION OF A REVIEW OF DEFAULT ASSUMPTIONS USED IN BIRD AND MAMMAL RISK ASSESSMENTS FOR SEED TREATMENTS AND POTENTIAL MITIGATION OPTIONS

Descriptions

Seed treatment authorisations are disappearing, and new uses are being refused, such that there is a significantly diminishing range of options available to growers in GB. Previously this was covered by the ability to import treated seed from other EU Member States which had the use authorised; with no assessment required in GB. However, the ability to import treated seed ends on 31 December 2023 (although an extension to this is being considered); at this point, only uses with an extant authorisation in the UK will be permitted, effectively removing a large number of uses. This project involves reviewing data that could be used in assessing risks to birds and mammals from plant protection products applied as seed treatments. Specifically, the contractor will be required to perform literature searches and review data that could be used to improve the relevance and reliability of GB bird and mammal risk assessments for seed treatments. This information inputs into the assumptions and input parameters used in dietary intake calculations for appropriate species.