April 30, 2013

EU to ban neonicotinoid pesticides produced by Syngenta, Bayer

The European Commission will restrict the use of pesticides that contain neonicotinoid, a chemical that has been linked to bee deaths by researchers.

The bee population across Europe has dropped by almost 30% over the last decade and the widespread use of certain pesticides has been blamed.

A report published in January by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) concluded that pesticides that contain neonicotinoid posed a "high acute risk" to pollinators insects, including honeybees.

Although 15 countries voted in favour of the ban, it was not enough to form a qualified majority. As a result, the Europe Commission will now impose a two-year restriction on neonicotinoids. The United Kingdom was among eight countries that voted against, while four abstained.

There is heated debate about the collapse of the bee population in Europe and many farmers and crop experts argue that there is insufficient data to exclusively blame chemicals. Bee experts also point to parasitic mites, viruses that attack bees and global warming. 

The Commission has stated that it wants the moratorium to begin before December 1 this year.

Neonicotinoid-containing pesticides include imidacloprid and clothianidin, made by Germany's Bayer; and thiamethoxam, made by the Swiss company, Syngenta.

In a statement today, Bayer remains convinced that neonicotinoids are safe for bees, when used responsibly and properly, according to label instructions. The company states it will work together with all relevant stakeholders and authorities in the member states to handle the complex consequences of this decision, to further support its customers.