Voting in Europe today on the future use of neonicotinoid pesticides in the EU ended in another stalemate, though the balance tipped in the favour of the European Commission. The Commission had proposed banning certain uses of several controversial insecticides pending further research into their effects on insect pollinators.

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A Commission spokesperson told news agency Reuters that the EU executive would press ahead with a ban, as advised by risk assessment body EFSA in January. The spokesperson said, "15 member states voted in favour of the proposal, so the Commission will proceed with adoption [of a moratorium]."

Under the Commission's proposals, three insecticides named in the EFSA report (imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin, manufactured in the EU by Bayer CropScience and Syngenta) would be banned from use on crops attractive to bees for two years, from this July.

During voting on Monday, 15 member states supported the measure, eight voted against (the UK amongst them) and four abstained. Although this is lower than the majority vote required to implement a ban outright, it represents a shift in support towards the Commission position and the EU executive will now be free to implement the ban and end the deadlock that has persisted since January.

Germany, which had previously stood aside from voting, despite having introduced strict restrictions on domestic neonicotinoid use, reportedly voted in favour of the Commission's plans on Monday, bucking pressure from the industrial lobby.

The Commission's stance was backed by the UK government Environmental Audit Committee earlier this month, following an inquest into pesticides and pollinators, and the government's inaction in the face of mounting evidence. Committee chair Joan Walley condemned the government response to the neonicotinoid issue as "extraordinarily complacent" upon delivering the EAC verdict.  

On Monday, pesticide manufacturer Bayer CropScience maligned the Commission proposal as "an attack on technology and innovation which would result in crop yield losses, reduced food quality and loss of competitiveness for European agriculture." Following voting the company said it is "disappointed that clear scientific evidence has taken a back-seat in the decision making process," and accused the Commission of introducing "disproportionate" regulation.

However, Friends of the Earth Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton contended, "Restricting the use of these pesticides could be an historic milestone on the road to recovery for crucial [insect] pollinators." Mr Pendleton was highly critical of the UK government's failure to support the Commission moratorium. He added, "The UK Government's refusal to back restrictions on these chemicals, despite growing scientific concern about their impact, is yet another blow to its environmental credibility. Ministers must now help farmers to grow and protect crops, but without relying so heavily on chemicals - especially those linked to bee decline."

Friends of the Earth warned on Monday that risks associated with certain pesticides are just one threat faced by bees and other pollinators. The charity urged the government to introduce a Bee Action Plan, to assess the damage being done to bee health by loss of habitat, climate change and disease.

Soil Association Head of Policy Emma Hockridge stated on Monday afternoon, "This is a victory not only for the bees and other pollinators, but for independent science against the political, pro-pesticide position adopted by UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and the pesticide industry. The European Commission and many European governments have reacted responsibly to the British and European scientific evidence showing clearly that a suspension is justified."

She also countered claims made by pesticide manufacturers that a partial ban would have disastrous effects for EU agriculture, adding "Organic farming proves that systemic insecticides such as neonicotinoids are not needed to produce food. In Italy, where the Government has taken decisive action and banned certain neonicotinoids pesticides, deaths of honey bees in winter subsequently fell by more than 50% in three years."