Disappointment after EU ban ‘bee death’ pesticides
Scottish farmers yesterday expressed their disappointment at a decision taken in Brussels to ban an insecticide used in the protection of the oilseed rape crop.
A majority of European governments backed a European Commission plan for a near-total ban of three neonicotinoid insecticides suspected of causing the death of bees. Among the 16 countries meeting in Brussels who voted in support of the EU ban were the UK, France, Germany and Italy while among those who opposed the ban were representatives from Hungary, Denmark and the Czech Republic.
Reacting to the decision, NFU Scotland Combinable Crops chairman Ian Sands said, “This decision comes as a disappointing blow to many arable farmers throughout Scotland who, for years, have strived to use neonicotinoids in a safe and responsible manner.
He called the decision “highly contentious” and claimed the arguments within the debate had become increasingly politicised as the debate went on. “Unfortunately, it would seem that the final decision has been influenced more by politics and less by sound science.”
Looking forward, he added, “There are still further debates to be had on other chemicals and it is important that we continue to push EU legislators to stop basing their decision making on politics and instead on scientific facts.
“Scottish farmers pride themselves on being the keepers of the natural environment and hold the conservation of our native species as a priority. To imply that farmers and growers would knowingly use chemicals which are harmful to an eco-system which they put so much time, money and effort into growing and nurturing is a complete insult.”
The implementation of the ban will be by the end of the year; timing that Sands said would give growers’ time to take stock of where we are at and where we go from here. The umbrella organisation of UK supply merchants, AIC also expressed their disappointment at the decision.
The current restrictions, which came into force in December 2013, prevent the use of the three neonicotinoids as granular applications to soil, seed treatments to cereals drilled from January to June, as well as uses as seed treatments, soil treatments or foliar applications to flowering crops.
Two of the major plant protection companies challenged that Commission decision on the basis of insufficient evidence of any serious risk to bee health and taking disproportionate action in the light of the perceived risk identified.
The legal challenge was heard at the European Court of Justice in February 2017 and it is understood that the General Court will deliver its judgment on the current restrictions on 17 May 2018.
AIC argued against further restrictions until the European Court of Justice ruled as to whether the current restrictions have a justified legal basis.