Emergency authorisation to use neonicotinoids rejected

The Government has rejected applications for emergency authorisations to use neonics to treat sugar beet seed
The Government has rejected applications for emergency authorisations to use neonics to treat sugar beet seed

The Government has rejected an application for emergency authorisation to use two products containing neonicotinoids to treat sugar beet seed next year.

New EU rules prohibit the outdoor use of three neonicotinoids - clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam - from December.

In taking that position, the Government said it could consider emergency authorisations in "exceptional circumstances" where there was a "real need" for the products, and the risk to bees and other pollinators was low.

Based on scientific advice, the Government has decided to reject applications for emergency authorisation.

The advice of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides (ECP) on the case for need, predicted risks and available mitigation options was put to Defra Ministers.

Based on the information provided, the HSE and ECP recommended that emergency authorisations should not be granted for the proposed uses, on the grounds that the risks to bees and the wider environment contained in the proposals put forward were too great.

Ministers have accepted these recommendations and the applications have therefore been refused.