Thank you for contacting me about sugar.
I welcome the progress that has been made in reducing sugar. The soft drinks industry levy decreased the amount of sugar in soft drinks by 46 per cent between 2015 and 2020, and the voluntary sugar reduction programme showed that, also between 2015 and 2020, retailers and manufacturers achieved a 3.5 per cent reduction in sales-weighted average sugar content per 100 grammes. In addition, there has also been a nearly 15 per cent reduction in average sugar levels in breakfast cereals and a 13.5 per cent reduction in yoghurts.
I appreciate your strength of feeling about the use of neonicotinoids. However, I am aware that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs approved emergency temporary authorisation for the use of the neonicotinoid pesticide Cruiser SB in 2023 due to the risks of yellows viruses to the UK's sugar beet crop. Emerging sugar beet seedlings are vulnerable to predation from aphids that have the potential to spread beet yellows virus. This can severely affect sugar beet yield and quality.
I would like to assure you that the potential risks of pesticides, such as any possible environmental harm, are balanced against the potential benefits in addressing the danger, such as protection against a pest. In making this judgement, the Farming Minister considers advice from the Health and Safety Executive, the Expert Committee on Pesticides and Defra’s Chief Scientific Adviser. Further, I am informed that strict conditions have been applied to minimise risks to the environment. This includes a maximum number of seeds planted per hectare and restrictions on farmers planting flowering crops in the same field within 32 months of a treated sugar beet crop, which will allow time for the chemical to break down.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.