Banned pesticide found in honey

ONE in five samples of British honey contain neonicotinoid pesticide residues, despite an Eu-wide ban on its use on flowering crops.

The levels found pose no risk to human health, but previous studies suggest they could have a negative impact on honeybees.

Before the ban in 2014, neonicotinoids were found in around half of honey samples.

The findings by researchers at the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, who analysed 130 samples, suggest that neonicotinoid residues may come from crops that are attractive to bees, particularly oilseed rape, although it is possible the soil was contaminated with the pesticide applied to a previous crop.

British farmers continue to treat cereal crops with neonicotinoids as this practice is exempt from EU restrictions.