European Commission confirms December 1 neonicotinoid restrictions

The European Commission has confirmed that restrictions on the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides will come into force in December, reflecting concerns that these neonicotinoid products are harmful to bees.

The restriction will prevent the use of three neonicotinoid products – clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiametoxam – in seed treatment, soil application (granules) and foliar treatment on plants and cereals (with the exception of winter cereals) that are attractive to bees.

The European Commission has also confirmed that the remaining authorised uses are available only to professionals, with exceptions limited to possible treatment of bee-attractive crops in greenhouses and open-air fields only after flowering.  The restrictions will come into force on December 1 2013 and be reviewed, at the latest, within two years.  Member states must now withdraw or amend existing authorisations to comply with the new restrictions by September 30 2013. They can, however, allow the use of existing stocks until November 30 2013.