Czech Republic stood out against neonicotinoid pesticide ban

The Czech Republic stood out against a ban on a series of neonicotinoid pesticides which was pushed through by other EU states on the grounds that they seriously endangered bees.
 

The Czech Republic was one of four countries which stood out against the ban of so-called neonicotinoids, alongside Denmark, Romania, and Hungary. Sixteen EU countries voted for the ban on outdoor use of the pesticides with eight abstaining.
 

The Czech Ministry of Agriculture had specifically been seeking an exception allowing for the use of the pesticide on the sugar beet crop warning that without it production costs and the profitability of the crop would be threatened.
 

From January next year the pesticide will only be allowed for use in closed greenhouses.