“A good day for the protection of our bees across Germany and Europe”, commented the Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Klöckner on the approval on 27 April by EU member states of an EU Commission proposal to drastically limit the use of Neonicotinoids.
by specialist editor Lorenz Wieland
Neonicotinoids: Focus on Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Clothianidin
When scientists of the European Food Safety Authority EFSA reassessed the active ingredients Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam and Clothianidin, the risk for wild bees, bumblebees, solitary bees and honey bees was once again confirmed.
A majority of members of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed, representing all EU member states, has now approved a proposed EU Commission ordinance prohibiting further use of these three active ingredients in open field crops. Explains Klöckner: “We voted in Brussels that Neonicotinoids shall henceforth be used only in greenhouses – i.e. there where they cannot harm bees (…). Bees are relevant to the system – also to the preservation of our agriculture. We have once again made this quite clear with our vote in Brussels today.”
For future use only in permanent greenhouses
The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) explained the consequences of the EU decision. Agricultural pesticides containing active ingredients Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam and Clothianidin may therefore “in future be used only in permanent greenhouses and for the treatment of seeds cultivated in greenhouses. The relevant plants may not be planted out into open fields but must remain in the greenhouse until harvested or used.”
BVL states that the relevant enactment ordinances by the Commission for the three active ingredients will enter into force 20 days from publication in the EU gazette. The member states must thereafter either withdraw approvals of agricultural pesticides containing these active ingredients within three months or adapt them accordingly.
BVL states that 14 agricultural pesticides containing the relevant active ingredients are currently approved in Germany. Nine of these for sugar beet and fodder beet seeds. Application by spraying or pouring on various cultures is for the rest allowed, including vegetables, herbs and ornamental plants. This includes greenhouse and open field uses. Since the substances are classified as hazardous to bees, the BVL has already prohibited their use on flowering plants or plants visited by bees.
Neonicotinoids: EFSA confirms risk to bees
Following comprehensive collections of data, EFSA has officially confirmed that the majority of applications of pesticides containing Neonicotinoids pose a risk to wild and honey bees. The authority has therefore updated its assessments of the three Neonicotinoids Clothianidin, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam accordingly. The German Farmers’ Federation (DBV) has now agreed to comply with this evaluation: The DBV stated that it had always accepted that the criterion for approval of agricultural pesticides should be based on sound scientific evidence. Whilst therefore abiding by the EFSA reassessment, it nevertheless considers the development of alternatives to these active ingredients a challenge.
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mayer.de
Mayer
Poststraße 30
89522 Heidenheim
Germany
T: +49 7321 9594 290
F: +49 7321 9594 299
info@mayer.de
mayer.de