Moves to tighten EU pesticide regulations could remove up to half the available crop protection products. Industry leaders are concerned that the unjustified restrictions will place the UK crop sector under threat making UK crops uncompetitive in the global crop market.

The concerns follow last year's suspension of neonicotinoid seed dressing products.

EU policymakers are currently developing a new risk assessment for plant protection products which will take into account their potential impact on bee health.

Brussels is also continuing to look at how it defines endocrine disruptors, chemicals which potentially cause health problems in humans and animals, and how it treats them under its pesticide licensing procedures.

NFU vice-president Guy Smith said: “This is one of the most serious issues confronting all crop growers. In the lifetime of the next EU Parliament we could lose half the crop protection products we have at the moment.”

He warned banning products such as triazole fungicides would have a huge impact on UK wheat production, damaging the economy and exporting production to parts of the world with less restrictive regimes. “If they take the broadest definition of endocrine disruptor it could cover chocolate; so you can feed it to your kids but you cannot put it on your wheat. We are calling for better science,” he said.

CPA chief executive Nick Von Westenholz said the implications could be ‘devastating’ for farming.

“If we continue along the present direction of travel, farmers and growers will simply find themselves without the necessary tools to fight pests and diseases, protect yields and run profitable businesses,” he said.

He urged UK MPs and MEPs to engage with the new EU Parliament and other EU institutions to ensure policy is based on ‘sound science’.

A Defra spokesperson, said: “Pesticides are an effective and economical means of managing crops and our current approach offers a high level of protection to health.

“The UK opposed the introduction of ‘hazard triggers’ into the EU pesticides regime and we are pleased that the Commission is reconsidering this issue.”