EU takes steps to protect bees
The European Union (EU) has suspended the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides, deeming them an unnecessary threat to bees.
Clothianidin, thiametoxam and imidacloprid are no longer to be used for seed treatment, soil application and foliar treatment on bee-attractive plants and cereals.
The decision follows scientific findings published in January 2013 by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), at the request of the European Commission.
Links were found between the use of the pesticides and bee health in the report.
At a proposal meeting among EU member states, Health and Consumer Commissioner Tonio Borg said: "Since our proposal is based on a number of risks to bee health identified by the EFSA, the commission will go ahead with its text in the coming weeks.
"I pledge to do my utmost to ensure that our bees, which are so vital to our ecosystem and contribute over €22 billion annually to European agriculture, are protected."
Welcoming the decision, the Soil Association's head of policy, Emma Hockridge, commented: "The European Commission and many European governments have reacted responsibly to the British and European scientific evidence showing clearly that a suspension is justified."
Ms Hockridge added that Italy saw a 50 per cent drop in honey bee deaths this winter, after its government banned certain neonicotinoid pesticides.
The restrictions will come into force on December 1, 2013, and the commission will review the conditions of approval of the three pesticides within the next two years.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
