Growers will only be free to use neonicotinoids in greenhouses across the EU, despite some environmental groups having reservations about the chemicals leaching into water supplies.The UK voted in favour of the proposals that will see a ban on outdoor use of three neonicotinoids - Clothianidin, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam. Other neonicotinoids, including thiacloprid and sulfoxaflor, will continue to be exempt from the ban.

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Environmental campaigners have welcomed the ban. Some five million people across the EU had signed petitions calling for an extension of restrictions.

"Banning these toxic pesticides is a beacon of hope for bees," said Antonia Staats, from Avaaz,

"Finally, our governments are listening to their citizens, the scientific evidence and farmers who know that bees can't live with these chemicals and we can't live without bees."

Many farmers are unhappy about the increase in restrictions, saying they do not believe they are warranted on scientific grounds and that the existing partial ban has not delivered results.

"The Commission hasn't been able to find that these restrictions have delivered any measurable benefits for bees," said Chris Hartfield from the National Farmers' Union (NFU) in the UK.

"That has been a big question for us, and if we can't be certain they can deliver measurable benefits why are we doing this?"

The new regulation will be adopted in the coming weeks and will be applicable by the end of the year. Some farmers believe it will have significant impacts on the types of crops grown across the Continent.

"The irony of the current restrictions is that it has led to the decline of oil seed rape being grown in the UK and that's reflected across the whole of Europe," Mr Hartfield said.

A Defra spokesperson said:"We are committed to enhancing our environment for the next generation, and welcome the vote today in support of further restrictions on neonicotinoids.

"The Government has always been clear we will be led by the science on this matter. The weight of evidence now shows the risks neonicotinoids may pose to our environment, particularly to the bees and other pollinators is greater than previously understood.

"We recognise the impact a ban will have on farmers and will continue to work with them to explore alternative approaches as we design a new agricultural policy outside the European Union".

The current restrictions will stay in place until the new measures comes into force following a phasing out period of around eight months, giving farmers and businesses time to adjust.

Unless the scientific evidence changes, the government will maintain these increased restrictions post-Brexit.

The UK reserves the right to consider emergency authorisations. We will only do so where there is a real need for the products and the risk to bees and other pollinators is sufficiently low.

CLA Chief Land Use Policy Adviser Susan Twining said: “This is another blow to farmers at a time of significant uncertainty. Removing yet another tool from farmers which helps them control pests and disease will negatively impact their ability to farm efficiently and profitably, as we develop a post-Brexit strategy for agriculture.

“It is vital that regulatory decisions on crop protection products follow a science-based approach and we respect the decision of the regulators on this matter. It is however, incumbent on ministers and officials in the EU and the UK to think about the real world business impacts of these decisions, and work with us to provide the necessary support for farmers who need to find ways to combat pests, control costs and produce food efficiently.

"Above all we will be seeking reassurances from the Secretary of State that any restrictions will be enforced against all imports through Brexit and beyond.”