Syngenta’s long-awaited thiamethoxam seed treatment has finally gained provisional approval from the Advisory Committee on Pesticides.

A statement released in the minutes from the ACP’s May meeting says thiamethoxam could be recommended for provisional approval on sugar and fodder beet subject to the submission of final data, the addition of a requirement for respiratory protective equipment when cleaning seed treatment equipment, and a post approval monitoring scheme.

The product, which will be sold as Cruiser SB, will become a rival for seed treatments, such as Gaucho (imidacloprid) and Poncho Beta (clothianidin), which are used on substantial areas of sugar beet for the control of aphids and other early season pests.

Syngenta is likely to seek approval for thiamethoxam seed treatments in other crops, including cereals, peas and oilseed rape.