From December 1 2013 farmers will not be able to buy or sow treated seeds of crops deemed attractive to bees for a two-year period, at which time a review of evidence will be held.
The decision represents a blow to farmers who rely on the affected pesticides to keep crops, especially oilseed rape, clear of yield-sapping pests. Analysts have estimated the cost to the UK economy at £630m.
Fifteen countries, including Germany, voted in favour of the ban - not enough to form a qualified majority, but enough for the Commission to use its powers to impose a two-year restriction. The UK and Italy were among the eight nations that voted against the proposal. Four countries abstained.
NFU comment
NFU lead on bee health, Dr Chris Hartfield, said: “The Commission’s decision to ban three widely used neonicotinoids is likely to have significant impacts for food production and unintended consequences for the environment, without delivering any measurable benefits for bee health.
“It is right that we take steps to protect bees – they are vital pollinators, but any action needs to be proportionate to the problem. Crucially, we have to be confident that when we make changes, these changes will actually deliver benefits.
“At the moment, there is no evidence to show that there are any harmful effects of neonicotinoids on bees under field conditions. If we cannot find evidence of harm in the field, then it follows that we will not be able to measure any benefits of a ban either.
“This issue is about science and evidence, and finding a balanced way to tackle the significant challenges to bee health. However, it looks like we are about to make populist changes that do nothing to measurably improve the situation for bees, but will make it harder and more costly for farmers and growers to control pests on a whole range of agricultural and horticultural crops.”
The Commission is expected to publish details of the restrictions within the next week or so. Once we have this detail, the NFU will update its members with a crop-by-crop assessment of the impacts of the restrictions.
The NFU has recently published a guide that sets out practical ways for farmers and growers to help bees. It can be viewed here.