Move on to reboot rapeseed cultivation in UK
September marked the inaugural gathering of industry experts in response to the OSR Reboot initiative launched by United Oilseeds.
In attendance were 57 professionals from 41 organizations across farming, retailing, breeding, research, crushing, agronomy, beekeeping and conservation, along with trade groups such as the AIC.
Led by United Oilseeds managing director, James Warner, the meeting aimed to lay the foundation for a sustainable revival of domestic OSR (also known as rapeseed) production.
He said the presence of so many diverse experts at the meeting indicates the broad backing for this campaign: “It’s a testament to the shared commitment to making the UK’s rapeseed sector sustainable and competitive.”
Feed and food security
Warner outlined the challenges a rapeseed reboot faces in the UK: the lowest hectarage in 40 years, declining yields, the offshoring of neonicotinoid usage and the unfairness this unlevel playing field creates for UK farmers. He also mentioned a negative net trade swing of 2 million tons, and a drop in food security for edible oils. Additionally, he touched on reduced pollen and nectar supply, animal feed shortages, and increased carbon emissions linked to imports.
He told FeedNavigator:
“Rapeseed meal is a crucial protein source for ruminant diets here in the UK, especially given the size of our dairy industry. It’s likely the single largest protein ingredient in these diets. Right now, we’ve been able to supply rapeseed meal from UK-crushed seed, though it’s largely imported. But if we face crop issues elsewhere or political instability, as we did a couple of years back, it raises serious concerns. Rapeseed meal is our only domestic option for protein supply at scale, making it incredibly important for feed security in the ruminant sector.
“In addition, rapeseed oil is the UK’s top edible oil, making up about 40% of our consumption—significantly more than olive oil, which is 13 times smaller in terms of consumption. While we talk a lot about olive or palm oil, rapeseed is unique because it’s the only edible oil we can viably produce here in the UK. However, we’re now importing more rapeseed than we produce, meaning our food security on edible oils has dropped by around 15-20%. With over half of our rapeseed consumption now reliant on imports, the UK faces a real food security concern.”
Neonicotinoid ban
OSR’s decline has been steep since the UK banned neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) in the mid-2010s. Once a crop spanning 750,000 hectares, the rapeseed area now covers a mere 200,000 to 250,000 hectares.
And the United Oilseeds lead cites data showing the UK now has the worst-performing rapeseed yields compared to all 27 EU countries. According to Defra, OSR yield fell by 7.9% to 2.8 t/ha in 2024 compared to 2023.
Oilseed rape is very susceptible to crop damage and losses from Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle (CSFB) and its larvae against which neonics, a group of pesticides, previously offered good protection. Today, getting the OSR crop established in the autumn under heavy pest pressure is becoming more and more difficult and there is increasing yield loss due to poor establishment and larval load during crop maturation.
Once boasting a robust export market, the UK now relies on costly imports. This shortfall is exacerbated by the widespread use of neonics in competitor countries, like Australia and Ukraine, where production costs are now lower.
Warner summarized the dilemma: “We’re importing 1.3 million tons just to meet demand—a situation that has swung from a strong export market to a billion-pound net trade loss. The loss of neonics created an unlevel playing field that our farmers are struggling to compete on.”
The ban on neonics was introduced with admirable intentions, but in practice, it has simply led to a reduction in the crops produced in the UK, he stressed.
“That shortfall has been filled by imports from countries like Australia, Ukraine, and Uruguay—where neonics are still in use. Even more frustratingly, we’re now importing from EU countries like Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Romania, which have continued to use neonics legally through emergency authorizations and derogations. In effect, we haven’t reduced neonic usage; we’ve just off shored it," Warner remarked.
Three pillars of the rapeseed reboot
The OSR Reboot initiative centers around three key areas: innovative breeding and technology, agronomic adjustments, and policy reform.
The aim is to not just return to previous levels but to establish a “stable and sustainable” crop size around 400,000-500,000 hectares, covering most of domestic demand without oversaturating the market, explained Warner.
Breeding and technology
This pillar seeks breakthroughs in crop resilience, especially against the crop-damaging flea beetle.
“New tools like the Precision Breeding Act have opened doors to genetic improvements.”
United Oilseeds has also partnered with Bayer to implement the ‘MagicTrap’—an AI-powered pest-tracking system to monitor pest levels in real-time across UK farms.
Agronomic adjustments
Recognizing the complexity of OSR cultivation, the United Oilseeds led campaign is encouraging growers to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Farmers are being asked to consider flexible sowing dates, as research suggests delaying planting can sometimes boost outcomes by avoiding peak pest pressure.
Additionally, post-harvest cultivations, informed by ongoing research from NIAB, are seen as a vital way to disrupt flea beetle populations early in their lifecycle.
Policy and advocacy
With competition from countries using neonicotinoids, leveling the policy playing field is key.
Warner highlighted the consortium’s role in pressing policymakers: “We’re not asking for neonics back. Instead, we need policymakers to understand that rapeseed is essential for UK food security. Our aim is to advocate for policies that encourage domestic production and reduce reliance on imports.”
Collaborative research
Beyond immediate changes, the OSR Reboot has already begun exploring longer-term innovations. United Oilseeds has started to engage with the John Innes Centre with experts there focused on cutting-edge mRNAi research. The aim would be to develop OSR varieties that are inherently resilient to pests.
United Oilseeds is also supporting ADAS’s Yield Enhancement Network (YEN), an initiative designed to elevate rapeseed yields through data-driven insights.
As the OSR Reboot gains momentum, Warner and the consortium hope to see increased hectares of rapeseed sown in coming years. If the vision is realized, the UK could once again achieve near self-sufficiency in rapeseed, safeguarding food and feed security and reducing dependence on imports, he said.
