The Virus Yellows Epidemic in Sugar Beet in the UK in 2020 and the Adverse Effect of the EU Ban on Neonicotinoids on Sugar Beet Production

Virus yellows, the disease that was regarded as worst scourge of sugar beet production in northern Europe 20th century, made a dramatic and devastating comeback 2020, infecting up to 100% some fields Fens Cambridgeshire, culminating 38.1% infection national crop, highest incidence this pernicious since epidemics 1974–1976. The causes latest epidemic were consequences perfect storm – high overwintering survival principal vector, peach potato aphid, Myzus persicae , following very mild winter, resulted early migration infective aphids from hosts into newly emerging crops April. These events, coupled with removal by EU dictate most efficient method controlling disease, namely neonicotinoid seed treatments had kept it under control for previous 26 years, depletion alternative insecticide spray products, either due other bans, or having been rendered ineffective development resistance vectors, meant growers fighting losing battle almost day they sowed their seed. This article examines detail how 2020 developed, impact on profitability industry UK, parts Europe. We also argue return future years provide more effective pandemics, thus maintain presence important break crop arable rotations.