Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (Northern Ireland) - Activity on �Ǹ�Թ�

UK scientists unite for seabed survey off the south‑west coast

2026-04-15T08:01:52Z

A four‑week seabed mapping survey will bring together scientists from 11 organisations to improve understanding of the marine environment.

Accredited official statistics: Pesticide Usage Survey: Outdoor Vegetable Crops in Northern Ireland 2023

2024-11-20T14:52:06Z

This report presents information from a survey of pesticide usage practices on Outdoor Vegetable crops in Northern Ireland in 2023.

Accredited official statistics: Pesticide Usage Survey: Edible Protected Crops in Northern Ireland 2023

2024-11-20T14:51:23Z

This report presents information from a survey of pesticide usage practices on edible protected crops in Northern Ireland in 2023.

Accredited official statistics: Pesticide Usage in Soft Fruit Crops in Northern Ireland 2022

2023-10-30T10:57:49Z

This report presents information from a survey of pesticide usage practices on soft fruit crops in Northern Ireland in 2020. Data were collected from growers representing all soft fruit holdings in Northern Ireland. Quantitative data has been adjusted to provide estimates of total pesticide usage. A survey of the total population was not possible primarily due to non-participation of growers.

Accredited official statistics: Pesticide Usage in Orchard Crops in Northern Ireland 2022

2023-10-30T10:57:12Z

This report presents information from a survey of the pesticide usage practices of top fruit growers in Northern Ireland in 2020. This is the twelfth pesticide usage survey to be conducted on top fruit crops in the region since 1992.

Accredited official statistics: Pesticide Usage in Arable Crops in Northern Ireland 2022

2023-10-30T10:56:07Z

This is the seventeenth survey of pesticide usage practices on arable crops in Northern Ireland. Information on all aspects of pesticide usage was collected from holdings throughout the Province. Quantitative data has been adjusted to provide estimates of total pesticide usage.

Accredited official statistics: PESTICIDE USAGE IN NORTHERN IRELAND Survey Report 307 Edible Protected Crops 2021

2022-11-08T18:11:30Z

This is the fourth survey examining pesticide usage practices on edible protected crops (excluding soft fruit) grown under permanent protection in Northern Ireland, providing comparative data to that obtained in the previous surveys in 2017 (Lavery et al., 2018) and 2019 (Lavery et al., 2020). A previous report in 1991 included information on pesticide use on vegetable crops, strawberries and protected ornamental crops: Protected Crops (edible and ornamental), (Kidd et al., 1993). For this survey, a number of different vegetable crops and tomatoes, which were propagated and/or grown under permanent cover of glass or polythene until harvested, were included. Information relating to pesticide use on soft fruit crops is recorded in the pesticide usage report Soft Fruit Crops, 2020 (Kirbas et al., 2021). Protected crop cultivation is a very minor sector of agricultural production in Northern Ireland and includes a range of crops grown on relatively small areas which receive varying degrees of pesticide application. These factors lead to greater statistical uncertainty associated with the estimates produced and, whilst these data give an indication of pesticide use in this sector, they are less statistically robust than the estimates from the other reports in this series and should be interpreted accordingly. In keeping with the 2019 report, this report contains multiple-cropping areas, where successive crops are produced from the same basic area. This may result in figures which differ from the basic farm level information contained in the farm census. Data were collected from seven holdings, representing 33% of the total area of edible protected crops grown in Northern Ireland (Table 1). Holdings were selected from information contained in the Northern Ireland Agricultural Census, June 2020 (Anon., 2021) and Basic Payment Scheme returns, 2021. Raising factors have been applied to estimate national pesticide usage from sampled data. Data relating to individual crop types have not been published due to the small cultivation and sample areas and the possibility of identifying growers. A total of fourteen fungicide active substances including formulated fungicide mixtures were recorded in use on edible protected crops in Northern Ireland in 2021. Dimethomorph represented 15% of the fungicide-treated area and 1% of the weight of fungicides applied. Cyprodinil/fludioxonil represented a further 14% with both accounting for 3% of the weight of fungicides applied. However, fosetyl-aluminium/propamocarb hydrochloride, which accounted for 13% of the fungicide-treated area, represented 55% of the weight of fungicides applied, primarily on brassica crops during propagation stage for the control of downy mildew. Propamocarb hydrochloride accounted for only 25 of the fungicide-treated area but 31% of the weight of fungicides applied. (Tables 7 and 8). There was only one herbicide active substance applied in 2021, exclusively applied to lettuce crops, which accounted for an estimated 5% of the total pesticide-treated area and 3% of the total weight of pesticides applied. (Tables 7, 8 and 13). A total of five insecticide active ingredients were recorded in 2021. The oxadiazine insecticide indoxacarb accounted for 24% of the area treated with insecticides, representing 11% of the weight of insecticides applied. Both spirotetramat and spinosad represented 60% of the insecticide-treated area and 80% of the weight of insecticides applied. The diamide insecticide cyantraniliprole, applied exclusively to brassica crops, accounted for 3% of the insecticide-treated area and 7% of the weight of insecticides applied. (Tables 7, 8 and 12). A total of two microbial pesticides were recorded in 2021, Bacillus subtilis and Gliocladium catenulatum, applied primarily to lettuce crops for the control of Botrytis cinerea accounted for 71% of the biopesticide treated area and 21% of the weight of biopesticides applied. Bacillus subtilis accounted for 19% of the biopesticide-treated area of brassica crops and 10% of the weight of biopesticides applied. . (Tables 7, 8 and 11-15). Seed treatments accounted for 4% of the total pesticide-treated area and <1% of the weight of pesticides applied. The seed treatment active substances applied in 2021 were fludioxonil and metalaxyl-M, were primarily applied to leafy and flowerhead brassica crops, representing 95% of the seed-treated area and 86% of the weight applied. Lettuce was the only crop not to receive a seed treatment. Lettuce crops accounted for the largest growing area of all edible protected crops, although this was principally due to repeat cropping within the basic growing area. Lettuce crops received 66% of all fungicides applied representing 14% of the weight applied. Conversely, leafy and flowerhead brassica crops, which received 32% of all fungicides applied, accounted for 84% of the weight applied. Lettuce crops received an average of 2.8 fungicide, 1.0 herbicide, 1.6 insecticide, 1.5 biopesticide and 1 molluscicide application (Tables 6 and 13). Commercial edible protected cropping is a relatively specialist area of crop cultivation, extending the natural growing season to provide a continuous supply of crops for retailers. Edible protected crops may also be imported from abroad to augment locally grown crops. Edible protected crops can be grown on relatively small areas, particularly at propagation stage, but increased space is required to accommodate the crops as the plants mature. Multi-cropping also allows successive crops to be produced from the same basic area. Growing crops in permanent glasshouse structures or polythene tunnels enables the grower to closely monitor and maintain the conditions within the structure. Biopesticides and pollinators can also be utilised to maximise effectiveness within the enclosed environment. However, increased energy costs and the incidence of pests such as glasshouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) that reproduce rapidly under these conditions can prove problematic within a protected structure and lead to increased pesticide inputs. Crops which were grown outdoors for part of, or all of their life cycle are recorded in the Outdoor Vegetable Crops in Northern Ireland 2021 report (Kirbas et al., 2022).

Accredited official statistics: PESTICIDE USAGE IN NORTHERN IRELAND Survey Report 306 Outdoor Vegetable Cops 2021

2022-11-08T10:09:37Z

This is the eleventh survey of pesticide usage on outdoor vegetable crops in Northern Ireland, providing comparative data to that obtained in the previous surveys in 1991 (Jess et al., 1993), 1995 (Kidd et al., 1998), 1999 (Kearns et al., 2002), 2004 (Kearns et al., 2005), 2007 (Withers et al., 2009), 2011 (Withers et al., 2012), 2013 (Withers et al., 2014), 2015 (Lavery et al., 2016),2017 (Kirbas et al., 2018) and 2019 (Lavery et al., 2020). Information on all aspects of pesticide usage was collected from 37 holdings throughout the province, representing 40% of the total population of outdoor vegetable crop growers in Northern Ireland (Table 1). Quantitative data have been adjusted to provide estimates of total pesticide usage. The area of outdoor vegetable crops grown in Northern Ireland in 2021 was an estimated 1,049 hectares; a 4% decrease compared with 2019. Totals of 64 products and 50 active substances were recorded in use in this survey. By comparison with 2019, the pesticide-treated area increased by 18%, to 15,100 spray hectares and the quantity of pesticide (active substances) decreased by 30% to 4,423 kilograms. The fungicide-treated area increased by 62% and the quantity of fungicide active substances applied increased by 41%. The area treated with herbicides decreased by 10% and the weight applied decreased by 33%. The insecticide-treated area increased by 43%, though the weight of insecticide active substances decreased by 89%, primarily due to the withdrawal of oxamyl, pymetrozine and thiacloprid since 2019. The only molluscicide active substance used in 2021 was ferric phosphate. Maleic hydrazide was the only growth regulator used in 2021, applied exclusively to 2 hectares of parsnip crops. The area of vegetable crops grown from treated seed (direct sown or propagated and transplanted) decreased by 24% since 2019 and the weight of active substances used decreased by 13%, from 13 kilograms to 11 kilograms, mainly due to the withdrawal from use of thiram which was used extensively as a seed treatment in 2019. Fungicides, applied to 33% of the pesticide-treated area, accounted for 33% of the weight of pesticides applied. Herbicides accounted for 30% of the pesticide-treated area and 64% of the total quantity of pesticides used. Insecticides, applied to 29% of the pesticide-treated area, accounted for only 2% of the total quantity of pesticides used. Growth regulators accounted for less than 1% of the pesticide treated area and the quantity applied. Molluscicides accounted for less than 1% of both the total pesticide-treated area and the quantity of pesticides applied. Seed treatments applied to outdoor vegetable crops grown in 2021 accounted for 7% of the pesticide-treated area, representing less than 0.1% of the quantity of active ingredients applied. Carrots and parsnips collectively accounted for 85% of the quantity of fungicide active ingredients applied, representing 90% of the area treated with fungicides, with the active substance prothioconazole being most frequently used. Brassica crops received 10% of the total weight of fungicides applied, representing 7% of the area of vegetable crops treated with fungicides. The two most commonly used fungicide active substances applied to brassicas were the curative triazole fungicides prothioconazole and broad-spectrum fungicide mixture azoxystrobin/difenoconazole, primarily for general disease control. Alconifen, clomazone, metribuzin and pendimethalin were the herbicide active ingredients most commonly applied to outdoor vegetable crops, particularly to carrot and parsnip crops. Overall, 81% of all herbicide applications were applied to carrot and parsnip crops. Carrots and parsnips collectively accounted for 83% of both the insecticide-treated area and the quantity of insecticide active substances applied, mainly due to the pyrethroid insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin being applied extensively to carrots and parsnip crops for control of carrot fly. Turnip and swede accounted for 10% of the insecticide-treated area representing 2% of the weight of insecticides used. Leafy and flowerhead brassicas accounted for 6% of the insecticide-treated area representing 14% of the weight of insecticides applied. With exception of the use of garlic in carrots for general insect control there were no records of biopesticides/biological controls in NI vegetable crops in 2021. Crops which were propagated from seed and/or grown under glass or polythene for the duration of their life cycle are recorded in the Edible Protected Crops in Northern Ireland 2021 report (Kirbas et al., 2022). These crops have previously been included in the totals for outdoor vegetable crops. The proportion of total treated area of vegetable crops attributed to propagation (edible protected) is estimated at <1%. A number of new active substances and formulated mixtures, which were not recorded in the previous report have been used during this survey period. These include the SDHI fungicide fluopyram, used as a nematicide in carrot and parsnip crops and the herbicide actives clopyralid, ethofumesate, isoxaben and s-metolachlor. Conversely, a number of active substances and formulated mixtures which were used in 2019 have not been recorded during this survey period. These include the fungicide actives mancozeb/metalaxyl-m and the herbicide actives diflufenican, imazamox/pendimethalin, desmedipham/ethofumesate/phenmedipham, lenacil, phenmedipham, and propaquizafop. There are also a number of actives for which approvals have since expired from the 2019 survey period which were not recorded in this survey period. These include the fungicide actives chlorothalonil/metalaxyl-m and fenpropimorph; the insecticide actives oxamyl, pymetrozine and thiacloprid; the herbicide actives chloridazon, chlorpropham and diquat and the seed treatment active thiram.

Accredited official statistics: PESTICIDE USAGE IN NORTHERN IRELAND Survey Report 308 Grassland and Fodder Crops 2021

2022-11-08T10:00:00Z

This is the ninth survey examining pesticide usage practices on grassland and fodder crops in Northern Ireland, providing comparative data to that obtained in the previous surveys in 1989 (Jess et al., 1992), 1993 (Jess et al., 1995), 1997 (Jess et al., 2000), 2003 (Withers et al., 2005), 2005 (Withers et al., 2007), 2009 (Withers et al., 2010), 2013 (Withers et al., 2014) and 2017 (Lavery et al., 2018). Information on all aspects of pesticide usage was collected from 200 enclosed grassland, 55 arable silage, 23 fodder maize and 4 other fodder crop holdings throughout the province, representing 2.3% of the total area of grassland and fodder crops grown. Quantitative data have been adjusted to provide estimates of total pesticide usage. The total area of grassland and fodder crops grown in Northern Ireland in 2021 was an estimated 1,348,412 hectares. Overall, the area of grassland and fodder crops grown in 2021 increased by 14% when compared to 2017. The area of established grassland crops increased by 12% during this period and there was a 31% increase in the area of sown crops which included arable silage, arable silage (undersown) and all grass reseed areas up to five years old. The area of fodder crops grown in Northern Ireland in 2021 increased by 52% compared to that recorded in 2017. This was primarily due to an increase in fodder maize and fodder kale production during this period. Overall, grass silage production increased by 47% between 2017 and 2021. A period of prolonged favourable weather, extending beyond the normal growing season into Autumn, allowed for an additional fifth and sixth cut of grass silage which was recorded for the first time in 2021. The area of grassland and fodder crops receiving pesticide treatment increased by 6% when compared to that recorded in 2017. A total of 120,962 kilogrammes of pesticide active ingredients was applied to 153,560 spray hectares of grassland and fodder crops during 2021. This represented a 22% increase in the weight of pesticides applied compared to 2017. A total of 107 products comprising 55 active substances were recorded in use during this survey. Herbicides accounted for 89% of the pesticide-treated area, representing 98% of the weight of pesticides applied. Fungicides, Insecticides growth regulators and seed treatments collectively accounted for the remainder of the total pesticide usage and were applied to arable silage, arable silage (undersown), grass reseed and fodder crop areas. No molluscicide use was recorded during this survey period. The area of established grassland crops treated with pesticides increased by 1% when compared to 2017, however, the weight of active substances applied increased by 18% during the same period. The area of sown crops treated with pesticides, primarily arable silage (undersown) and grass reseed, increased by 29% and the weight of active substances applied increased by 54%, consistent with the increased area grown of these crops. The area of fodder maize grown decreased by 28% whilst the area of other fodder crops grown increased by 40%. The pesticide-treated area of other fodder crops decreased by 18% from 7,040 spray hectares (spha) to 5,802 spha and the weight of active substances applied decreased by 29%. In keeping with data from previous years, herbicides remain the most extensively used pesticide type on grassland and fodder crops. During this survey period, the area treated with herbicides and the weight applied has increased by 4% and 23%, respectively, when compared with 2017. The five most commonly applied herbicides, either in formulation or as individual active substances, ranked by treated area (spha), were fluroxypyr, triclopyr, MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid), mecoprop-P (methylchlorophenoxypropionic acid) and aminopyralid. The five most commonly applied herbicides, ranked by weight (kg), were MCPA, triclopyr, glyphosate, fluroxypyr and mecoprop-P. An estimated 50% (29,384 spha) of Grass silage 1st cut and 45% (16,527 spha) of enclosed grazing received herbicide treatments for control of docks (Rumex spp.).

Accredited official statistics: PESTICIDE USAGE IN NORTHERN IRELAND Survey Report 300 Soft Fruit Crops 2020

2021-10-13T09:26:11Z

This report presents information from a survey of pesticide usage practices on soft fruit crops in Northern Ireland in 2020. Data were collected from 9 growers representing 33% of all soft fruit holdings in Northern Ireland. Quantitative data has been adjusted to provide estimates of total pesticide usage. A survey of the total population was not possible primarily due to non-participation of growers. Soft fruit cultivation is a very minor sector of agricultural production in Northern Ireland and includes a range of crops grown on relatively small areas, which receive varying degrees of pesticide application. These factors lead to greater statistical uncertainty associated with the estimates produced and, whilst these data give an indication of pesticide use in this sector, they are less statistically robust than the estimates from the other reports in this series and should be interpreted accordingly. Compared with the previous survey, carried out in 2018, the total area of soft fruit crops grown decreased by 17% to approximately 14 hectares and the area treated with pesticides (spray hectares) decreased by 25%. A total of 24 kilograms of pesticides were applied to 39 spray hectares of soft fruit crops in 2020. Strawberries were the most commonly produced soft fruit (protected, semi-protected and non-protected), with 21 kilograms of pesticides being applied to 35 spray hectares. This represented approximately 89% of the total pesticide-treated area and 88% of the total quantity of pesticides applied. Fungicide usage decreased by 25% when compared with 2018. Fungicides were applied to 54% of the total pesticide-treated area, representing 36% of the total weight of pesticides used in 2020. Azoxystrobin and fenhexamid were the fungicides applied to the largest area. Fenhexamid and sulphur were also the most frequently used fungicides by weight applied. Grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) and powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis) were the main reasons given for fungicide use on strawberries. Herbicide usage, applied to the inter-row area of non-protected crops, decreased by an estimated 29% compared with 2018. Herbicide active ingredients were applied to 16% of the total pesticide-treated area (36% of the total weight of pesticides used) with propyzamide and napropamide collectively accounting for 82% of the herbicide-treated area and the weight of herbicides applied. Insecticide and acaricide usage decreased by 45% in 2020 when compared with 2018. Insecticide and acaricide active ingredients accounted for 10% of the total pesticide-treated area and 2% of the total weight of pesticides applied in 2020. The insecticide and acaricide pirimicarb and thiacloprid were the most frequently applied active substances and were only applied to strawberries. Reasons for insecticide/acaricide use during this survey period. included general insect control, aphids, red spider mites, sawfly and vine weevil. Biopesticides were applied to 9% of the treated area in 2020, comparable with 7% in 2018. Biopesticides were only applied to protected and semi-protected strawberry crops. Bacillus subtilis was the most commonly applied biopesticide accounting for 78% of the biopesticide treated area. Biopesticide applications were to control grey mould (Botrytis cinerea), powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis), aphids, red spider mite and vine weevil. Aphelinus abdominalis, Aphidius colemani, Ephedrus cerasicola, Praon volucre, Bacillus subtilis, Steinernema feltiae, Steinernema kraussei and Phytoseiulus persimilis were the only biopesticides used. Molluscicides were only applied to non-protected crops and accounted for 7% of the total pesticide treated area and 2% of the weight of pesticides applied. ‘Other products’ (derived completely from natural ingredients but not classified as ‘plant protection products’) accounted for 5% of the pesticide treated area and 23% of the weight of pesticides applied. ‘Other products’ were only applied to protected and semi-protected strawberry crops with the reason for use given as aphid control.

Accredited official statistics: PESTICIDE USAGE IN NORTHERN IRELAND Survey Report 301 Top Fruit Crops 2020

2021-10-13T09:21:16Z

This report presents information from a survey of the pesticide usage practices of top fruit growers in Northern Ireland in 2020. This is the eleventh pesticide usage survey to be conducted on top fruit crops in the region since 1992. There was an estimated total of 202 top fruit holdings in Northern Ireland in 2020. Since the previous survey, the total area of top fruit crops grown decreased by 9% to 1,362 hectares, and a slight decrease of 8% of the area of Bramley apples grown. A sample of 60 growers was selected to provide information on crop applications, storage treatments and orchard floor treatments. An estimated 91% of all top fruit crops were grown in County Armagh, with Bramley apple orchards accounting for 98% of the total top fruit grown in Northern Ireland. There was an estimated 38,586 tonnes of Bramley apples harvested in 2020, a 21% decrease compared to 2018. Overall, an estimated 18.4 tonnes of pesticide active ingredients (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides and growth regulators) were applied to 27,355 spray hectares. The pesticide-treated area decreased by 10% compared with 2018, and the weight of active ingredients applied decreased by 18%. Fungicide application accounted for 86% of total pesticide-treated area (not including ‘other’ products) and 91% of weight applied. When compared with 2018, the area treated with fungicides decreased by 8%, and the weight of fungicides applied decreased by 20%. Captan (24%), dodine (11%), pyrimethanil (10%), and mancozeb (9%) were the fungicide active ingredients most commonly used on top fruit crops, collectively accounting for 54% of fungicide-treated area. An estimated 88% of all fungicide applications were applied to control apple scab (Venturia inaequalis). Insecticide and acaricide application represented 6% and <1% of total pesticide use by area treated and weight of active substance applied, respectively. The area treated with insecticides and acaricides decreased by 28% when compared with 2018. Deltamethrin represented 45% of the insecticide treated area, an increase of 50% since 2018. Chlorantraniliprole accounted for 17% of the insecticide treated area. The moulting accelerator, methoxyfenozide accounted for 16% of insecticide treated area, a three-fold decrease since 2018. The use of the pyrethroid insecticide cypermethrin decreased by 39%, representing 11% of total insecticide application. The pyridine carboxamide flonicamid accounted for 9% of insecticide treated area. Aphid control accounted for 24% of insecticide application and a further 39% was attributed to ‘general insect control’. Herbicide application represented 4% of total pesticide use by area treated and 8% of weight applied. Overall, the area treated with herbicide decreased by 14%, but the weight of herbicides applied increased by 6%, when compared with 2018. Glyphosate was the most frequently used herbicide accounting for 46% of total herbicide application. The formulation 2,4-D/glyphosate accounted for 38% of the total herbicide treated area. The most common weed management practice was to apply herbicides in strips under the tree canopy and mow the inter-row grass area between the rows of trees, with 93% of growers using this method. The remaining 7% of growers either mowed or grazed the strips under the tree canopy in addition to the inter-row area. Growth regulators accounted for 3% of the pesticide-treated area and less than 1% of the total weight of pesticide applied. Gibberellins and prohexadione were the only growth regulator active ingredients applied. Prohexadione accounted for 82% of the area treated with a growth regulator and 99% of the total weight of growth regulator applied. An estimated 7.8 tonnes of ‘other products’ were applied to 5,570 spray hectares. These included foliar feeds, trace elements and calcium-based products. A majority of applications were to treat potential nutritional disorders. Data were also collected on post-harvest storage treatments applied to top fruit crops. Only Bramley apples were stored with an estimated 16,023 tonnes of which 13,390 tonnes were treated. The pesticide active 1-Methylcyclopropene was the only pesticide active used on stored top fruit crops in 2020.

Accredited official statistics: PESTICIDE USAGE IN NORTHERN IRELAND Survey Report 299 Arable Crops 2020

2021-10-13T09:13:05Z

This is the sixteenth survey of pesticide usage practices on arable crops in Northern Ireland. Information on all aspects of pesticide usage was collected from 90 holdings throughout the Province, representing 31% of the total area of arable crops grown. Quantitative data has been adjusted to provide estimates of total pesticide usage. The total area of arable crops grown in Northern Ireland in 2020 was 36,074 hectares. This represented an increase of 5% compared to that recorded in 2018 but a 42% reduction compared to that recorded in the first pesticide usage survey of the arable sector, in 1990. Approximately 50% of the arable cropping area in 2020 was in County Down, 18% in County Londonderry, 15% in County Antrim, 12% in County Armagh and 5% in County Tyrone. There was no significant area of arable cropping in County Fermanagh. A total of 307 products, comprising 121 active substances were recorded in use on field crops in this survey compared with 344 products and 134 active substances used in 2018. No fallow, organic, undersown or cover crops were recorded during this survey period. Spring barley, winter barley and winter wheat collectively accounted for 87% of all arable crops grown in Northern Ireland in 2020. The total weight of pesticides applied to arable crops in 2020 decreased from 122 tonnes of active substances to 107 tonnes, representing a 12% decrease from both 2018 and 2016, respectively. Spring barley represented 35% of the area of crops grown (table 3) and accounted for 25% of the total area of arable crops treated (table 5) and 18% of the weight of pesticides applied (table 6). Since 2012, the area of spring wheat crops grown decreased by 36% whilst during the same period the area of winter barley crops grown increased by 46%. Winter wheat accounted for 24% of the area treated with fungicides and 15% of the weight of fungicides applied, whereas spring wheat accounted for <1% of both the fungicide treated area and weight of fungicides applied. Compared with 2018, fungicide applications decreased by 8%, with chlorothalonil, either applied as a single active substance or as a formulation, the most frequently applied to cereal crops, especially spring barley, winter barley and winter wheat. Herbicide and desiccant applications decreased by 10%. Glyphosate was the most frequently applied, accounting for 18% of all herbicide and desiccant applications and 42% of the weight applied. Insecticide applications increased by 11% when compared with 2018 and the weight applied increased by 4%. The pyrethroid insecticides esfenvalerate and lambda-cyhalothrin were used extensively on spring barley, accounting for 38% and 54% of the area treated and 12% and 22% of the weight applied, respectively. Conversely, pymetrozine, which accounted for 4% of the insecticide treated-area represented 50% of the weight applied. Some minor use of chlorpyrifos has been recorded on winter barley crops for general insect control, though, it should be noted that, from 31st March 2016, all uses have been revoked except for treatment of brassica crops in peat blocks via gantry-mounted sprayers. Molluscicide applications increased significantly since the previous reporting period, increasing from 2,002 spray hectares in 2018 to 5,518 spray hectares in 2020, mainly due to an increase of applications to maincrop potatoes. Molluscicide applications to these crops accounted for 67% of the area treated with this pesticide group, with ‘Slugs’ given as the only reason for use. Ferric phosphate was the only mollucisicide recorded in 2020. Growth regulator applications increased by 2% when compared to 2018. The principal growth regulators used were chlormequat and trinexapac-ethyl which is consistent with previous surveys conducted between 2006 and 2018. Growth regulators were applied primarily to spring barley, winter barley and winter wheat, collectively accounting for 86% of both the area treated with these active substances and the weight applied. Seed treatment applications increased by 18%, though the weight applied decreased by 85% when compared with 2018. This was primarily due to difficulties determining the weight of ‘unknown seed treatments’ which accounted for 35% of the seed-treated area. In 2018, the combined insecticide and fungicide seed dressing clothianidin/prothioconazole was the most frequently used seed treatment, though it was withdrawn from use in December 2018. In 2020, the phenylpyrrole fungicide seed treatment, fludioxonil, was the most frequently used fungicide, accounting for 45% of the seed-treated area and 38% of the weight of seed treatments applied. Foliar feeds and adjuvants, although not classified as active substances, are included in this report due to their use in arable crop cultivation and production. It should be noted, however, their use is relatively minor and does not constitute significant treated areas or quantities applied. Potato crops comprised 10% of the area of arable crops grown in Northern Ireland in 2020, accounting for 23% of the total pesticide-treated area (Tables 3 & 5). However, the weight of pesticides applied to potato crops represented 37% of the total weight of pesticides used on all arable crops (Table 6). The total area of potatoes grown comprised 2% early, 11% seed and 87% maincrop potatoes. Potato crops accounted for 34% of the area of arable crops treated with fungicides and received 57% of the total weight of fungicides applied. Furthermore, applications of herbicides and desiccants to potato crops represented 18% of both the area treated and the weight applied of this pesticide group, respectively. Potato crops received more pesticide treatments than any other arable crop (Table 7). Unfortunately, owing to restrictions imposed by the Covid 19 pandemic, data collected for pesticide application to potatoes, particularly in County Londonderry, was unreliable and insufficient to determine overall estimate for pesticide usage on this crop at a national level. Consequently, latitude should be exercised during data interpretation. In previous years, data relating to post-harvest potato storage methods and quantities were collected. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it has not be possible to collect these data with any reliability and they have therefore been omitted from this report. Comparison data for potato storage from previous years is included in Tables 36-38. The full list of active substances recorded in 2020 are in Tables 8 & 9. However, a comparison list of the active substances which were unique to both the 2018 and 2020 surveys are available in Table 39.

Accredited official statistics: Pesticide Usage in Northern Ireland Edible Protected Crops 2019 Survey Report 294

2020-11-18T15:09:14Z

This is the third survey examining pesticide usage practices on edible protected crops (excluding soft fruit) grown under permanent protection in Northern Ireland, providing comparative data to that obtained in previous surveys in 2015 and 2017. (Lavery et al., 2016; Lavery et al., 2018). Protected crop cultivation is a very minor sector of agricultural production in Northern Ireland and includes a range of crops grown on relatively small areas which receive varying degrees of pesticide application. These factors lead to greater statistical uncertainty associated with the estimates produced and, whilst these data give an indication of pesticide use in this sector, they are less statistically robust than the estimates from the other reports in this series and should be interpreted accordingly.

Accredited official statistics: PESTICIDE USAGE IN NORTHERN IRELAND Survey Report 293 Outdoor Vegetable Crops 2019

2020-10-15T18:10:39Z

This is the tenth survey of pesticide usage on outdoor vegetable crops in Northern Ireland, providing comparative data to that obtained in the previous surveys in 1991 (Jess et al., 1993), 1995 (Kidd et al., 1998), 1999 (Kearns et al., 2002), 2004 (Kearns et al., 2005), 2007 (Withers et al., 2009), 2011 (Withers et al., 2012), 2013 (Withers et al., 2014), 2015 (Lavery et al., 2016) and 2017 (Kirbas et al., 2018). Information on all aspects of pesticide usage was collected from 40 holdings throughout the province, representing 45% of the total population of outdoor vegetable crop growers in Northern Ireland (Table 1). Quantitative data have been adjusted to provide estimates of total pesticide usage. The area of outdoor vegetable crops grown in Northern Ireland in 2019 was an estimated 1,092 hectares; a 7% decrease compared with 2017. Totals of 88 products and 43 active substances were recorded in use in this survey. By comparison with 2017, the pesticide-treated area increased by 4%, to 12,713 spray hectares, while the quantity of pesticide (active substances) increased by 51% to approximately 6,315 kilograms, primarily due to increased herbicide applications. The fungicide-treated area increased by 35% and the quantity of fungicide active substances applied increased by 46%. The area treated with herbicides increased by 4% but the weight applied increased by 47%. The insecticide-treated area decreased by 8%, though the weight of insecticide active substances increased by 92%, primarily due to the high application rate of oxamyl used for nematode control on carrot and parsnip crops. The area treated with molluscicides decreased by 80% and the quantity applied decreased by 84% when compared with 2017. The only molluscicide active substance used in 2019 was ferric phosphate, compared with 2017 when metaldehyde was the only molluscicide used. Treatments for slugs were more consistent with previous reporting periods in 2015 and 2013. Maleic hydrazide was the only growth regulator used in 2019, applied exclusively to 4 hectares of parsnip crops. The area of vegetable crops grown from treated seed (direct sown or propagated and transplanted) decreased by 6% since 2017 and the weight of active substances used decreased by 66%, from 38 kilograms to 13 kilograms, mainly due to the withdrawal from use of thiamethoxam, which was used extensively as a seed treatment in 2017. Fungicides, applied to 24% of the pesticide-treated area, accounted for 16% of the weight of pesticides applied. Herbicides accounted for 39% of the pesticide-treated area and 67% of the total quantity of pesticides used. Insecticides, applied to 24% of the pesticide-treated area, accounted for 16% of the total quantity of pesticides used. Growth regulators accounted for less than 1% of the pesticide treated area and the quantity applied. Molluscicides accounted for less than 1% of both the total pesticide-treated area and the quantity of pesticides applied. Seed treatments applied to outdoor vegetable crops grown in 2019 accounted for 12% of the pesticide-treated area representing less than 0.1% of the quantity of active ingredients applied. Carrots and parsnips collectively accounted for 62% of the quantity of fungicide active ingredients applied, representing 61% of the area treated with fungicides, with the active substance prothioconazole being most frequently used on carrots and metalaxyl-M being most frequently used on parsnips. Brassica crops received 19% of the total weight of fungicides applied, representing 26% of the area of vegetable crops treated with fungicides. The two most commonly used fungicide active substances applied to brassicas were the curative triazole fungicides difenoconazole and prothioconazole, primarily for general fungal control. Glyphosate, pendimethalin and clomazone were the herbicide active ingredients most commonly applied to outdoor vegetable crops, particularly to carrot and parsnip and onion and leek crops. Overall, 47% of all herbicide applications were applied to carrot and parsnip crops, with a further 28% applied to onions and leeks. Carrots and parsnips collectively accounted for 69% of the insecticide-treated area, representing 96% of the quantity of insecticide active substances applied mainly due to the pyrethroid insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin being applied extensively to carrot, parsnip and brassica crops for control of aphids. Leafy and flowerhead brassicas accounted for 26% of the insecticide-treated area representing 4% of the weight of insecticides applied. With exception of the use of garlic oil in carrots for general insect control there were no records of biopesticides/biological controls in NI vegetable crops in 2019. Crops which were propagated from seed and/or grown under glass or polythene for the duration of their life cycle are recorded in the Edible Protected Crops in Northern Ireland 2019 report (Lavery et al., 2020). These crops have previously been included in the totals for outdoor vegetable crops. The proportion of total treated area of vegetable crops attributed to propagation (edible protected) is estimated at <0.2%. A number of new active substances and formulated mixtures, which were not recorded in the previous report have been used during this survey period. The fungicides fluopicolide/propamocarb hydrochloride and metconazole, the herbicides aclonifen, chloridazon, cycloxydim, desmedipham/ethofumesate/phenmedipham and diflufenican, the insecticide oxamyl and the molluscicide ferric phosphate were all recorded as used in 2019. Conversely, a number of active substances and formulated mixtures which were used in 2017 have not been recorded during this survey period. These include the fungicides chlorothalonil, chlorothalonil/cyproconazole, cyprodinil/isopyrazam and epoxiconazole/metconazole, the herbicides bentazone, clopyralid, ethametsulfuron-methyl, fluroxypyr/halauxifen-methyl, metsulfuron-methyl/tribenuron-methyl, S-metolachlor and tepraloxydim, the insecticides acetamiprid, chlorpyrifos and spinosad and the molluscicide metaldehyde.

Official Statistics: Digest of statistics for salmon and inland fisheries in the DAERA jurisdiction 2019

2019-06-06T08:30:06Z

These statistics give an overview of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) inland fisheries sector in Northern Ireland.

Accredited official statistics: Pesticide Usage Survey, Soft Fruit Crops: 2018

2018-11-15T16:05:20Z

Statistical report on the use of pesticides in Northern Ireland soft fruit crops during 2018

Accredited official statistics: Pesticide Usage Survey, Top Fruit Crops: 2018

2018-11-15T16:03:17Z

Statistical report on the use of pesticides in Northern Ireland orchards during 2018

Accredited official statistics: Pesticide Usage Survey, Arable Crops: 2018

2018-11-15T16:01:14Z

Statistical report on the use of pesticides in Northern Ireland arable crops during 2018.

Accredited official statistics: Pesticide Usage Survey: Edible Protected Crops in Northern Ireland 2017

2018-11-07T09:30:14Z

This report presents information from a survey of pesticide usage practices on edible protected crops in Northern Ireland in 2017.

Accredited official statistics: Pesticide Usage Survey, Vegetable Crops: 2017

2018-11-07T09:30:14Z

This report presents information from a survey of pesticide usage practices on vegetable crops in Northern Ireland in 2017.