Major crop protection and seeds firm Syngenta has confirmed it is to move its hybrid plant breeding operations out of the UK to western Europe.

The commercial decision was made as part of Syngenta’s global seed strategy, which will focus its research and development programme, and investment on hybrid wheats and hybrid barley within mainland Europe.

The firm was keen to reiterate to Farmers Weekly that it will continue to test, screen, and commercialise hybrid wheat focused on the UK market, and is committed to bringing the best-performing cereal varieties to UK growers.

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Syngenta’s site at Whittlesford in Cambridgeshire is due to close towards the end of the year as a result of these changes, with a number of job losses expected.

However, its site near Market Stainton in Lincolnshire will remain in “some capacity”, with further announcements relating to its future expected later this summer.

The firm will also maintain its trialling activities in the UK to create varieties suited for UK growers.

Hybrid varieties

Moving forward, Syngenta will have a greater focus on hybrid crops and is on track to be the first company to launch a hybrid wheat in Europe, at some stage next year.

Its commercial team believes the use of new technology mean hybrid varieties in the future will have the ability to offer better returns for growers, with greater yields.

The firm says it is committed to getting the best varieties into the hands of farmers and the root structure of hybrids should lead to more stable yields for growers during droughts.

Sarah Iveson, commercial unit head for north-west Europe, said: “Syngenta has taken the decision to consolidate its hybrid seed breeding capabilities into a site in mainland Europe.

“While this has implications for our UK-based seed breeding operations and teams, we remain fully committed to bringing the best varieties to the UK market supported by comprehensive UK-based trials ensuring all our varieties are adapted to local growing conditions.

“Due to this decision, Syngenta is withdrawing from its Whittlesford site.

“We will be working to optimise wider seed breeding operations over the coming months and strongly believe that the consolidated, better-resourced research technology platform will deliver world-class seed innovation for UK farmers.”