Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government on what scientific evidence they based their decision to lift the ban on neonicotinoids.

The UK Government has not lifted a ban on neonicotinoids. There is not a ban, but a restriction on the use of three neonicotinoids in place since 1 December 2013. A number of uses remain approved. The restriction has been implemented in full.

The main European regulation on pesticides provides for limited and controlled use of the restricted neonicotinoids on an exceptional basis to control a danger which cannot be contained by any other reasonable means.

The Government considers applications for such emergency authorisations according to the legal requirements and the best available scientific evidence. The UK Expert Committee on Pesticides advises Ministers on what authorisations are capable of being issued. The Committee considered two applications for emergency authorisations, each for two separate neonicotinoid seed treatments for winter oilseed rape this year. They recommended the first application, which requested authorisation to use neonicotinoids on 79% of the national crop area, should be rejected as their use was not limited and controlled. They recommended that the second application, to use neonicotinoids on 5% of the national crop area, should be accepted as the use was limited and controlled, was subject to stewardship arrangements and was to control a danger which could not be contained by any other reasonable means.

The Committee’s advice has been published online and copies will be placed in the House Libraries.

The European Commission has begun a review of the science on neonicotinoids and pollinators. The Government will participate fully in that process.