European Union member states have voted in favour of an almost complete ban of the use of of neonicotinoid insecticides across the EU.
At a special standing committee meeting today (26 April) member states backed a proposal by the European Commission to further restrict the use of three classes of neonicotinoids – imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam.
Scientific studies have long linked the use of neonicotinoids to the decline of honeybees, wild bees and other pollinators. In response, some restrictions on their use have been in place in the EU since 2013.
Under the new ban outdoor use of the three substances will be completely banned and they will only be allowed in permanent greenhouses where no contact with bees is expected.
Commissioner for health and food safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis, welcomed the vote, stressing that “the Commission had proposed these measures months ago, on the basis of the scientific advice from the European Food Safety Authority. Bee health remains of paramount importance for me since it concerns biodiversity, food production and the environment”.
“Today’s vote is historic. Using bee-killing pesticides cannot be allowed anymore and only sustainable practices should be used to produce our food”
The vote haas been welcomed by host of environment and civic groups who have fought long campaigns against neonicotinoids.
Martin Dermine, environment policy officer at Pesticide Action Network Europe, said: ‘Authorising neonicotinoids during a quarter of a century was a mistake and led to an environmental disaster. Today’s vote is historic. A majority of member states gave a clear signal that our agriculture needs transition. Using bee-killing pesticides cannot be allowed anymore and only sustainable practices should be used to produce our food’.
Friends of the Earth called the decision of EU governments a “tremendous victory”. A spokesperson said: “The European Commission must now focus on developing a strong pollinator initiative that boosts bee-friendly habitat and helps farmers cut pesticide-use.”
The global civic movement Avaaz said that it was now “time for the US, Canada and the rest of the world to follow suit.”
Photo: Avaaz, via Twitter