On Friday, division over EU Commission proposals effectively scuppered plans intended to protect Europe's insect pollinators, which are undergoing serious population declines.

EU ministers gathered this week to discuss a partial ban on three neonicotinoid insecticides identified as contributing to ill-effects and population declines in bees by the bloc's health watchdog EFSA in January. Prior to the EFSA verdict, over 30 peer-reviewed studies had raised questions about the unintended consequences of neonicotinoid use.

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Even so, British and German ministers, backed by the pesticide industry, have claimed evidence linking neonicotinoids to impacts on bee health is inconclusive.

The European Commission said in a statement following talks on Friday (15th March) that "No qualified majority was reached, either in favour, or against the text." If passed, the Commission' moratorium would have prohibited the use of neonicotinoids on crops attractive to bees for two years. In January, health minister Tonio Borg called for "decisive action" to protect insect pollinators, which are estimated to be worth £1.8 billion to UK farmers alone each year.

On Friday, Bayer CropScience, one of two EU manufacturers of the chemicals in question said it "welcomes the fact that no consensus was reached by the EU Member States," adding, "This provides hope to European farmers, that they can continue to have access to safe and effective crop protection products supporting their ability to grow safe, high-quality, affordable food."

Conversely, Nick Mole, policy officer at Pesticide Action Network UK, told Farming Online "We are incredibly disappointed that, when so much research linking neonicotinoids to harmful effects on bees and other insect pollinators exists, UK and German ministers have seen fit to stand in the way of the Commission's far-reaching and forward-thinking proposals. We hope that this is not the end for the policy."

The European Commission said it would redraft proposals as soon as possible before arranging a second vote on the issue. If a compromise is not reached in future ministerial meetings, the Commission will be free to press ahead with a ban.

UK government criticised over neonicotinoid stance

Organisations critical of the government stance on neonicotinoids had urged Environment Minister Owen Paterson not to block the EU proposals earlier in the week. Green groups, who are calling for a ban on the pesticides within the UK, have become increasingly vocal in their criticism over the past few months; they now accuse the government of employing deliberate delaying tactics.

PAN-UK spokesperson Nick Mole said in January, "The fact is, we need a suspension while we look at what is going on with neonicotinoids. Until it can be proven that they aren't having a detrimental impact on pollinators, their use should be banned. What we don't need are delaying tactics and calls for more research."    

Last month, speaking before ministers conducting an investigation into the relationship between pesticides and insect pollinators, Defra scientists revealed that field trials set up at the behest of government and industry have been compromised. Colonies of control bees were found to have been exposed to neonicotinoids, which number amongst the world's most widely used pesticides.

Reacting to the announcement, and Defra's claims that evidence on the controversial chemicals is inconclusive, Friends of the Earth's Paul De Zylva told Farming Online, "They [Defra] must think we're fools to believe this constitutes active engagement to protect public health and the environment. The real aim seems to be to go as slowly as you can and be as arcane as you can."

Speaking in the House of Lords on Wednesday, Conservative Whip Lord de Mauley said the government has approached the neonicotinoid debate with an "open mind". He added, "We are, indeed, doing further analysis on fieldwork we have had carried out specifically to address this issue because it is vital that what we do is proportionate and based on the science."

However, in letters sent to environment ministers in each state before Friday's vote, Green Party MEPs warned that, "By spreading uncertainty via apparently 'science-based' arguments, the agrochemical companies are acting as 'merchants of doubt' and are therefore blocking effective action by European policymakers."

Neonicotinoids are already subject to tight restrictions in France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia.