The campaign to restrict the use of pesticides linked to bee decline was given a huge boost today when supermarket chain Waitrose banned suppliers from using neonicotinoid insecticides. The move follows discussion between the supermarket chain and Friends of the Earth.

Waitrose is the latest retailer to act on three neonicotinoids linked by the European Food Safety Authority to bee decline. Over recent weeks leading home and garden retailers, such as B&Q, Homebase and Wyvale have removed neonicotinoid chemicals from their shelves, following campaigning by Friends of the Earth.

The supermarket chain, one of the UK's largest, will ask its suppliers of fruit, vegetables and flowers to avoid the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides identified as harmful to bees and other insect pollinators by EU health watchdog EFSA. The move is part of the supermarket's 'Seven Point Plan for Pollinators'.

Although negotiations on a partial ban on the preparations have broken down in the EU, the European Commission may make an executive decision to suspend use of the chemicals until scientists can demonstrate conclusively whether or not they are adversely affecting populations of pollinator insects. In the UK, the government's Environmental Audit Committee has slammed the "extraordinary complacence" displayed by Defra's decision not to abide by the precautionary principle in its policy on the pesticides. 

Waitrose added on Friday that its prohibition of neonicotinoid pesticides "will also be rolled out progressively to commodity crops such as oil seed rape on the Waitrose Farm at Leckford in Hampshire and as soon as practicable to other areas of the arable sector that supply Waitrose."

Waitrose Director of Quality & Technical David Croft said, "We have been looking at pollinator health for some time in close collaboration with our fresh produce suppliers. Given the concern about these pesticides and the need to support pollinators we believe this is a responsible precautionary step as part of a wider, holistic approach under our seven point plan.

"The current debate on the decline of pollinators has raised attention about the potential adverse impact of neonicotinoid pesticides. With this in mind, and in favour of strengthening pollinator presence, Waitrose is supporting a precautionary approach with these chemicals."

The move has been welcomed by groups campaigning to secure a ban on the controversial formulations. Pesticide manufacturers have fiercely resisted attempts to crack down on the chemicals.

Helen Browning, Chief Executive of the Soil Association responded on Friday, "Europe's leading scientific experts have recommended suspending the use of three neonicotinoids damaging bees, the European Commission has agreed and the all-party environment committee of the House of Commons has unanimously backed a ban. Surely the combination of scientific expertise, political consensus and action by responsible business will be enough to persuade Owen Patterson to stop Defra scoring another own goal, and instead act to protect our vital pollinators."

Friends of the Earth’s Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said “This is fantastic news – Waitrose is the latest major retailer to take action on pesticides linked to bee decline. There is mounting concern about the damaging impact these chemicals have on bees and other pollinators - we urge other stores to follow suit.

“Ministers can’t ignore the mounting concern from scientists, businesses and the public – they must back EU proposals to restrict these insecticides later this month. But pesticides are not the only challenge facing British bees – the Government must introduce a Bee Action Plan to tackle habitat loss and all the other threats they face.