The European Commission proposed on 27 April a ban on the use  – in open air – of three neonicotinoids clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam.

These substances have already been under partial ban for several years and have been subject of much discussion.* The EU says these new restrictions go beyond measures taken in 2013 and are based on scientific evidence from the European Food Safety Authority .**

Neonictinoids are pesticides which have been proved deadly for bees.  Pollinating bees are essential for the world’s food security and for biodiversity.  Three-quarters of the world’s agricultural food crops require pollination.

However, these neonicotinoids will still be allowed for use under cover says the EU, i.e. in greenhouses where, according to the Commission, there is no contact with bees.

The ban should be adopted by the Commission in the next few weeks and should come into force at the end of 2018.

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* Bee-killing neonicotinoids to be banned by European Commission

**The EFSA is also conducting assessments of the risks posed to consumers by multiple pesticides; their report is due out end 2018.
See also:
Neonicoinoids: sales up in France.
France votes in ban on neonicotinoids
Help save our pollinators: EU online public consultation opened
To Bee or not to Bee
More European Commission information on neonicotinoids available here.