A key insecticide for controlling flea beetle is available to oilseed rape growers this autumn, following emergency approval of the neonicotinoid acetamiprid.

For the second year in a row, the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) has approved Certis’ insecticide InSyst (acetamiprid) for the control of cabbage stem flea beetle in oilseed rape.  

“There is a great deal of concern around the inability to control insect pests in oilseed rape crops, such as cabbage stem flea beetle,” said Mike Hambly, NFU’s combinable crops board chairman.

See also: HGCA says 3.5% of English oilseed rape lost to flea beetle

“With the removal of certain seed treatments and active ingredients, farmers with high pest pressure saw crops overwhelmed last year before alternative products could be made available,” he said.

“The emergency approval for the use of InSyst will help increase grower confidence in their decision to plant oilseed rape this year, where choices have not already been made, as well as help secure their ability to grow a successful, consistent crop.”

This 120-day emergency authorisation relates to the use of InSyst as an insecticide on winter oilseed rape for use at a maximum dose rate of 200g/ha between growth stages BBCH 09 to 14, for control of cabbage stem flea beetle, and application is to be made in a minimum water volume of 200 litres/ha.

Inez Cornell, Certis’ product manager, explained that as part of the emergency approval, Certis were asking growers to provide information, via a dedicated web-portal, to help provide a better map of cabbage stem flea beetle pressures across the country.

“By collating specific information in relation to pest pressures that are being seen first-hand, up and down the country, we can start to build a wider picture of the potential impact of this destructive pest.

She highlighted that growers are not permitted to use more than one autumn foliar application of any of the following insecticides actives: acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiacloprid.

The 120-day emergency authorisation expires on 25 November 2015 and growers should obtain a copy of the notice of approval via the CRD website.