A complete ban on use of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides has
moved a step closer today (Saturday 21 December), as the
government sets out its plans to deliver a key election
pledge.
Despite being banned from general use in the UK, the last
government authorised the use of neonicotinoids every year for
the last four years in England via a process known as emergency
authorisation.
Neonicotinoids are extremely toxic to pollinators. Even at doses
that are not directly fatal to bees they can cause cognitive
problems impacting foraging abilities and the productivity of
hives. The chemicals can also persist in the soil creating a
further risk to bees.
Bees and other pollinators are crucial to the agricultural
economy with the economic benefits of pollination to crop
production in the UK estimated at £500 million
annually.
The Government has set out its next steps, including identifying
legislative options that would legally prevent the future use of
three specific neonicotinoids – clothianidin, imidacloprid and
thiamethoxam – entirely, taking full account of the importance of
pollinators.
Environment Minister
said:
“We are delivering on our promise to ban toxic bee-killing
pesticides and ending the long-term decline of our
wildlife.
“A healthy environment is vital to our food and economic
security. Protecting bees by stopping the use of damaging
neonicotinoids is an important step in supporting the long-term
health of our environment and waterways, and our farming
sector.”
The move comes ahead of the publication of a new UK National
Action Plan (NAP), which will set how pesticides can be used
sustainably.
Ensuring that our food production is sustainable is key to the
long-term health of the agricultural sector, as well as the
nation's food security. The Government's Plan for Change is built
on the strong foundation of a stable economy.
The Government commitment to farmers remains steadfast and we are
fully committed to supporting farmers to protect their crops in
more sustainable ways. There has already been progress in this
space, including research into new virus-resistant varieties of
sugar beet and new alternative pesticide sprays, and we will
continue to support this work.
The announcement today builds on the swift action the Government
has taken to recover nature more widely. This includes committing
to a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan and new
delivery plans to meet targets on air quality, the circular
economy and water. In the first few months of this government,
legislation was introduced to put failing water companies under
special measures to curb pollution in our waterways and a Flood
Resilience Taskforce was introduced to speed up the creation of
nature-based solutions, like planting trees to protect
communities against the impact of extreme
weather.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
-
The legal requirements for emergency authorisations have not
changed today and any applications for 2025 will be
considered under the law as it stands.
-
The Neonicotinoids Policy Statement applies to England only.
-
The UK Government will look to work with the devolved
governments to seek a shared and consistent way
forward.
-
£5 billion was set aside in the Budget for farming over two
years, including the single biggest amount of money ever
allocated for sustainable food production and nature
recovery.
-
The full Neonicotinoids Policy Statement can be
found here
