Following the European Food Safety Authority's announcement that neonicotinoid pesticides, a family of commonly used nerve agents, pose an "unacceptable" risk to bees, B&Q and Wickes announced they will be withdrawing preparations containing the pesticides from sale this week.

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The two retailers announced on Tuesday that, in light of the EU watchdog's findings, they will stop stocking products containing neonicotinoids imidacloprid and thiamethoxam from later this year.

Their decision was welcomed by environment group Friends of the Earth, which, along with sustainable farming organisations and retailers including the Cooperative group, has called on the UK Government to ban neonicotinoid chemicals linked to falling bee numbers.

On Monday, European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs Tonio Borg said the Commission will announce EU-wide measures to protect bees from the controversial pesticides, based on EFSA guidance. Responding to industry claims that disease and loss of habitat pose the greatest threat to bees, the Commissioner said, "Whilst the health of our bees may be threatened by other factors, we must take decisive action where appropriate." However, he ruled out a blanket ban on the three insecticides.

Making its announcement earlier this month, EFSA identified the two chemicals named by Wickes and B&Q – along with a third, clothianidin – as posing a risk to bees. However, even before the EFSA pronouncement, over thirty peer-reviewed studies had established such a link.

On Wednesday (30th January), representatives of German chemical giant Bayer returned to Parliament to explain inconsistencies in evidence previously presented to a UK Government inquest into the effects of pesticides on bees. The inquest was set up last year to look into the UK government's policy of fence sitting in the face of mounting evidence that neonicotinoids are harming Europe's pollinating insects.

Studies published in the journal Science earlier in the year led to bans and restrictions in France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia, but the UK government said there was no conclusive evidence of harm and, therefore, such measures were unjustified. The decision attracted criticism from environmentalists, who accused the government of abandoning the precautionary principle.

Pesticide Action Network policy officer Nick Mole told Farming Online earlier in the month, "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,"

MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee want to question Bayer representatives on information relating to the length of time neonicotinoid pesticides remain in the environment.

Friends of the Earth Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said on Tuesday, "We are delighted stores are withdrawing these pesticides. Other retailers must follow suit and take action to protect our bees. The spotlight now falls on the UK Government. Ministers must help safeguard our bees by immediately suspending the three pesticides identified by European food safety scientists - and ensuring farmers have safe alternatives."

The environment group has called on Whitehall to produce a National Bee Action Plan, to study and halt the decline in insect pollinators. They suggest such a plan should have a bearing on all areas of policy, from planning to agriculture. Evidence released in summer 2012 shows the activity of insect pollinators such as bees are worth an estimated £1.8 billion each year to UK farmers.