Pesticides Stakeholder Group minutes: June 2026

Attendees and apologies

Chair

Jackie Hughes, Scottish Government

Attendees

Alanis Maciver, Scottish Government

Alison Lees, James Hutton Institute

Alix Stewart, Angus Soft Fruit

Amy Geddes, Scottish VI

Carolyn Mitchell, James Hutton Institute

Cathy Cliff, Soil Association

Celine Delabre, NatureScot

Colin Palmer, CONFOR

Dave Bell, National Register of Sprayer Operators (NRoSO)

David McKay, Soil Association

David Michie, NFUS

Dawn Teverson, LEAF

Debbie Kessell, Scottish Government

Ellie Vinnicombe, AIC

Gillian Reay, Scottish Government

Greg Dawson, Scottish Agronomy

Jenny Brunton, British Agricultural Bureau, Brussels

Joanna McTigue, Horticulture Crop Protection UK Ltd

John Feege, Co-op

John Murrie, Agrovista

Miryana McKay, Hutchisons

Neal Evans, Voluntary Initiative

Simon Conway, Horticulture Crop Protection UK Ltd

Wayne Brough, HTA

Items and actions

Welcome

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Matters arising

The minutes from PSG17 (held on 4th March 2026) had previously been agreed.

The updated action log was circulated to members prior to the meeting. Currently no outstanding actions.

Scottish Government Updates

A Scottish Government written update was provided to the group in advance of the meeting and a verbal summary was given. 

In a verbal addition to the SG updates, too late to be included in the paper, it was confirmed that an emergency authorisation was issued yesterday for the use of Benevia 10OD, containing cyantraniliprole as an insecticide on outdoor and protected strawberry crops, targeting Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD). The deadlines are 30th September 2026 for placing on the market and use and 30th October 2026 for storage and disposal stocks.

Horticulture Crop Protection UK Ltd (HCP) confirmed for control of SWD emergency authorisations for use of Exirel 10SE on blackberries, raspberries and blueberries was issued yesterday. Dates for placing on the market, use and disposal are listed at  Extension of Authorisation - Search Page.

The Chair noted that negotiations on the SPS agreement are ongoing, with conclusion expected by mid-July. Scottish Government officials remain committed to supporting DEFRA’s understanding of the impacts of potential changes in GB regulation on Scottish agricultural systems. SRUC has been commissioned, via the Underpinning National Capacity mechanism, to conduct an evidence review focused on the potential impacts for Scotland of GB aligning with current EU glyphosate regulation.

Understanding the impact of aligning with EU Glyphosate regulation on Scottish Crop Production

Neil Havis (SRUC) delivered a presentation on a recent report analysing the potential impacts of aligning Scottish crop production with EU glyphosate regulations. The report is available at:

https://sruc.figshare.com/articles/report/Understanding_the_impact_of_aligning_with_EU_Glyphosate_regulation_on_Scottish_crop_production/32407407?file=65039046

Following the presentation there was a feedback and discussion session.

Neil confirmed that NFU England had provided feedback on the figures used in the report. The chair asked that this feedback be shared.

HCP commented that Northern EU countries have not been able to use glyphosate as a desiccant for the past two seasons and queried whether there is relevant data or evidence that could be drawn upon. SRUC confirmed they approached NI but didn’t get much information. For Ireland, TEAGASC, indicated that the loss of glyphosate for desiccation was having minimal impact.

British Agricultural Bureau (BAB) noted they are hearing there are a lot of weeds pre harvest in northern European Member States.

Neil noted that reliance on glyphosate has increased over time, but members highlighted significant risks associated with its removal. It was also noted that there are limits to the extent to which growers can adapt practices, such as changing barley varieties and that crop production costs, margins, weather conditions and access to alternative PPPs had also changed significantly during the same period

The importance of integrated crop management (ICM) and integrated pest management (IPM) approaches was emphasised, alongside the need to carefully and rationally consider the future use of glyphosate in line with the scientific evidence.

Agrovista highlighted findings on cropping and the current state of the malting barley crop, noting a continued decrease in spring barley acreage and an increase in oilseed rape, with potentially significant impacts from further disruption related to loss of chemical desiccation.

Agrovista also noted that the 1% drying figure may be optimistic, with estimates closer to 1–2%. If swathing were required more widely, costs could be considerably higher than presented as demand increased, particularly given current machinery costs.

Members discussed that swathing is effective under dry harvest conditions; however, in very wet conditions, there is a risk of pre-germination in the sward, which can lead to significant crop loss. Instances of near-total crop loss have been observed in some areas in previous years.

NatureScot queried whether the Scotch Whisky Association would be willing to participate in research on malting barley varieties suitable for production with reduced or no glyphosate use. It was noted that there is a need for the supply chain to share the associated risks.

NFUS noted that maltsters (MAGB) largely determine the varieties grown and that this has been discussed extensively with them. It was also noted that, while a Scotch Whisky Association supply chain group exists, sharing risk across the supply chain remains challenging.

Scottish Agronomy noted that alternative desiccants, such as diquat, were previously available and widely used, but are no longer permitted. While it was acknowledged that glyphosate was not always relied upon historically, it was emphasised that alternative options were available at that time.

Support was expressed for integrated weed management, including the use of residual herbicides for grass weeds. However, concerns were raised regarding current uncertainties around alignment with EU regulation and the potential loss of PFAS-related products, which may result in the loss of certain residual herbicides on scientific grounds.

It was further noted that, without sufficient alternatives, there is a risk of losing both residual herbicides and glyphosate, potentially leaving limited options for integrated control.

In relation to pulses (field beans and combining peas), it was highlighted that focusing solely on increased drying costs may understate the issue, as in some years crops may not be able to be harvested at all without glyphosate. It was again noted that there are currently no viable alternatives for chemical desiccation, and that swathing is not a suitable option for pulses.

The Chair asked the group, in the absence of current alternative technologies or drying methods beyond conventional grain drying, to provide views on the capacity of drying infrastructure in Scotland in a scenario where glyphosate is not available for use as a desiccant.

Scottish Agronomy highlighted current challenges in the spring barley market, particularly for mixed farmers who rely on malting barley being moved at harvest with drying undertaken off-farm. It was noted that many of these growers lack on-farm drying and storage infrastructure and therefore depend on harvesting a sufficiently dry crop within a narrow window.

Glyphosate was identified as an important tool in achieving this. It was further noted that, under current market conditions, a shift to alternative crops (e.g. feed grains, wheat, or oilseed rape) may not be viable, as these would require on-farm drying and storage capacity that many growers do not have. This could necessitate changes in storage and intake arrangements across the supply chain.

BAB highlighted that Ireland has granted an emergency authorisation for the use of diquat on potatoes. It was also noted that fuel costs for drying are expected to be a significant issue this year.

Agrovista reiterated concerns that increased adoption of no-till and minimum tillage systems in Scotland may exacerbate grass weed issues. It was noted that reduced tillage can lead to higher weed pressure.

Concern was also raised about the potential loss of other key herbicides, including flufenacet, which is widely used to manage brome and other grass weeds.

NFUS highlighted the national pig herd is declining significantly, with a notable increase in sow culling, reflecting an ongoing crisis in the pork sector. In particular the north-east, wet grain has historically been used as pig feed; however, this outlet is likely to reduce in the short term and potentially over the medium or long term if current conditions persist, with potentially significant impacts which would reduce the demand for grain with higher moisture content.

The Chair asked whether the group agreed with the general assessment of the likely impacts, including increased drying costs, higher carbon use, greater pressure on financial margins, increased risk of lodging, and the potential need to reconsider cropping choices and varieties. The Chair also invited views on whether any additional factors should be considered.

Scottish Agronomy highlighted that adopting earlier-maturing varieties to extend the harvest window may reduce yields. Examples such as Fairing and Golden Promise were cited as significantly lower yielding and not economically viable without a substantial premium, for which there is currently little evidence.

It was also noted that alternative cultural practices, including regenerative or conservation agriculture, rely heavily on glyphosate. Without it, growers may need to increase ploughing, with associated implications.

Concerns were further raised regarding niche crops, such as oats. It was noted that if flufenacet is withdrawn, the ability to integrate residual herbicide control would be significantly reduced, due to a lack of alternative products. Overall, it was emphasised that there are increasing challenges in identifying viable alternatives and solutions.

NFUS raised concerns about a potential competitive disadvantage, particularly in relation to imports from non-EU countries. It was noted that domestic producers may need to adapt their systems, potentially reducing output, while imported products would not bear the same costs.

The Co-op highlighted its interest in the customer perspective, particularly regarding the potential risk of contamination affecting end products, both weed seeds and mycotoxins.

SRUC explained there is ongoing research into mycotoxins. It was explained that, as these are associated with fungal contamination, impacts from loss of chemical desiccation may be limited; however, concerns remain regarding the presence of weeds and their potential influence.

The Chair welcomed further comments on the report to be submitted by email following the meeting.

Open discussion/Roundtable

BAB highlighted that bixlozone has been approved in the EU, with the decision published in the Official Journal on 31 March.

It was also noted that it had been indicated that pydiflumetofen had received a positive vote at the May SCoPAFF meeting for use from 2027, and publication in the Official Journal is expected shortly.

BAB further noted ongoing progress on the EU’s Food and Feed Simplification Omnibus, which includes provisions relevant to plant protection products, such as expanding the use of drones and potential changes to the 10-year renewal process and accelerated access to biologicals. The presidency is looking to have the council mandate for that agreed by the end of this month.

Date of next meeting

The date of the next meeting is 8th September 11:00-12:00. The invite will be issued to the group shortly.