‘Pivotal moment’ for UK oilseed rape

The first meeting of a cross-industry initiative to secure a sustainable future for oilseed rape has attracted dozens of participants.

The OSR Reboot campaign – launched by farmer-owned cooperative United Oilseeds earlier this year – brought together 57 professionals from 41 different companies and organisations from all facets of the industry.

Attendees included farmers, retailers, breeders, research institutes, crushers, agronomists, beekeepers, conservationists and industry bodies – all calling for a sustainable increase in UK oilseed rape production.

Way forward

Hosted by industry expert Julian Little on behalf of United Oilseeds, representatives of the AHDB, the AIC, the John Innes Centre and ADM Erith joined United Oilseeds managing director James Warner to discuss a way forward for the crop.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Warner described the meeting as truly inspiring. He added: “That collaborative spirit will no doubt play a crucial role in achieving our aims of a recovery for oilseed rape production in the UK.”

The UK oilseed rape area has fallen to its lowest for 40 years. Mr Warner said the decline was due to combination of factors. They included declining yields, challenging establishment, and the ban on neonicotinoid treatments to combat cabbage stem flea beetle.

This had created an unlevel playing field for British growers, said Mr Warner.

While neonicotinoids were banned in the UK, farmers in many other countries could still use them – leading to negative net trade swing of 2 million tonnes worth almost £1 billion. As a result, UK food security for edible oils had fallen from 40% to less than 20%.

“We face a pivotal moment for oilseed rape in the UK,” said Mr Warner. “It is only through collaboration that we can drive meaningful change – both in the immediate future and for the long term. I will be relentless in pushing this agenda forward.”