While Efsa confirms the danger of neonicotinoid pesticides to bees, European countries cannot agree on a definitive ban. A situation that echoes the glyphosate saga.
It took five years of data collection and systematic review of the scientific research available today to reach the conclusion, on the part of the European Food Safety Authority (Efsa), that neonicotinoid pesticides represent a threat to the health of bees. This is the second review of assessments by Efsa, following those made public in 2013, which led the European Commission to impose restrictions on the use of three substances: clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam.
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"The availability of such a large volume of data and our guidelines have allowed us to reach very detailed conclusions," Jose Tarazona, head of Efsa's Pesticides unit, commented in a statement. "Within the conclusions there is variability due to factors such as the different bee species, the intended use of the pesticide and the route of exposure. Some low risks were identified, but overall the risk to the three types of bee covered by our assessments is confirmed." Efsa examined more than 1,500 studies from academia, chemical companies, beekeeping and farming associations, and national NGOs.
To reach this result, members of the Pesticides Unit compared the levels to which bees in the open field are assumed to be exposed with those considered hazardous and causing effects on pollinating insects. The conclusion reached is that "in many cases bees foraging on field-treated crops and in the surrounding area are likely exposed to harmful levels of neonicotinoid pesticides." This occurs both through the presence of the substances in pollen and nectar, and as a result of residues coming from nearby plants.
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For Federica Ferrario, agriculture campaign manager at Greenpeace Italia: "The evidence is overwhelming." She calls on Italy and other European countries to "fully support the permanent ban on neonicotinoids proposed by the EU. It would be a first concrete step towards preventing the catastrophic collapse of bee populations."
But the environmental organisation goes further, calling for a ban on four additional neonicotinoids whose use is currently permitted in the EU: acetamiprid, thiacloprid, sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone. Pesticides that have obviously seen an increase in use as substitutes for the three under temporary restriction.
Italy, with the decree of 25 June 2013, transposed regulation 485/2013/EU, revoking seven agrochemicals based on clothianidin or imidacloprid and restricting a further five, based on imidacloprid or thiamethoxam, by cancelling their use on crops considered attractive to bees, but never expressed a position in favour of a complete ban, as called for instead by various environmental organisations and by several online petitions.
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On 20 March, Members of the European Parliament belonging to the Greens group had sent a letter to European Commission President Juncker, ahead of the 22 and 23 March meeting of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (Paff), which was expected to rule on the possible definitive ban on the three neonicotinoids under examination and on the others still being assessed. The letter warned, however, that "there are serious indications that the Commission might not put forward its voting proposals and that the decision could be postponed due to the absence of the necessary majority." In effect anticipating what actually happened: the Commission decided not to decide.
Last December an attempt had already been made to reach a definitive ban, but many member states had opposed it, pending the Efsa report. Among these were Romania and Hungary, which declared themselves against, while France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Croatia, Slovenia, Luxembourg and Malta were in favour (here the list of substances still used in the various member states). "A further delay in taking the decision will expose bees and other pollinators to further doses of the toxins that kill them, with serious consequences for food production, in particular honey," the letter reads.
According to the Pesticide action network (Pan – Europe), an association working to reduce the risks associated with pesticides, postponing the decision yet again is "a missed opportunity for the European Union to demonstrate its commitment to protecting pollinators" and shows "once again the lack of ambition" in wanting to protect bees and other at-risk insects.
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According to the Guardian, in an article dated 23 March, things could be different: the newspaper states that it has seen draft documents relating to the banning of these substances across all member states. The documents "are the first indication that the Commission wants a total ban, citing acute risks to bees. A ban could be in force this year, if the proposals are approved by a majority of member states," writes Damian Carrington. The game is still open, even if it seems that very little time remains.