In a positive move for the environment, the Government has refused an application to apply the banned neonicotinoid, thiamethoxam, to British crops, protecting pollinators and freshwater invertebrates. This decision is in line with the Government’s commitment to end the use of emergency derogations for banned pesticides.
Buglife, along with other environmental and health organisations has been calling on stronger enforcement of the ban on neonicotinoid use since it was introduced by the European Union in 2018. The emergency authorisation process was not designed for repeated year-on-year authorisations that have taken place on an annual basis.
The independent, UK Expert Committee on Pesticides (ECP) has repeatedly advised against allowing thiamethoxam – a highly bee-toxic neonicotinoid – to be used due to the potential adverse effects on honeybees and other pollinators which outweigh any likely benefits.
A step towards a pesticide free future?
The harmful effects of neonicotinoids have been known for over a decade and the agricultural sector has been encouraged to find alternative, more environmentally friendly ways to manage threats to crops. The reliance on emergency derogation has appeared to prevent progress. The refusal of this application will promote more sustainable farming practices, encourage the use of safer alternatives, and help protect nature.
This decision will further help the UK towards meeting legally binding targets to halt biodiversity loss and reduction in pollution to the environment.
Buglife is committed to ensuring invertebrates are protected from all threats. Upholding the ban on agricultural neonicotinoid use is one step towards a pesticide free future, but the Government must address the use of the banned pesticides in other sectors such as veterinary medicines and forestry. The long promised, National Action Plan on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides, must be published without delay and include a comprehensive consideration of how and where pesticides are used, and set out the steps required to halt the harm the cause.
Approval process
There are numerous issues surrounding the pesticide testing procedure, including the limited scope of testing – for instance, no testing is done on the impacts of new pesticides on solitary bees, bumblebees, or even the long-term health of honeybees. Further issues with current legislation include highly toxic ingredients in pesticides (co-formulants) that are not publicly declared as being ‘active substances’ so never go through the approval process. Furthermore, limited consideration is being made of the ‘cocktail’ effect where pesticides can have more dramatic effects when working in combination with each other.
Parliament must legislate for new pre-approval tests and processes that will protect bees, pollinators, and other beneficial invertebrates from all the ingredients in proposed pesticides while enabling public participation in environmental decision-making.
“This is a welcome decision from the Government and a step in the right direction to stop the use of pesticides. It upholds the neonicotinoid ban and reaffirms a commitment to reduce pesticide use and harm. This should be the start of positive action taken and we encourage the Government to follow this decision by addressing the approvals process for pesticides, closing other loopholes that allow for pesticide use, and address the same harmful chemicals in domestic settings”, said Craig Macadam, Buglife, Director of Conservation.
Main Image Credit: Common Carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) © Claire Pumfrey
