During a debate in Parliament this afternoon on the environmental impact of neonicotinoids and other pesticides, the Labour Party announced a policy to end the use of emergency derogations for banned neonicotinoids, should they form the next Government.
The wide-ranging debate focused on the impact pesticides had on the environment, leading to the loss of invertebrate life including bees, wild pollinators, and aquatic life. Despite being banned in 2018 by the European Union, the use of neonicotinoids has continued in the English countryside, in the form of coatings on sugar beet seeds. This spring the Government has authorised the use of thiamethoxam for the fourth year in a row, ignoring the advice of its independent advisors.
Thiamethoxam is highly toxic to bees and aquatic life, it is a banned pesticide that breaks down into another highly toxic banned pesticide. Recent evidence from Ireland shows that several years after thiamethoxam was banned it was still occurring at harmful levels in wildflower pollen and nectar collected by bumblebees.
Craig Macadam, Buglife Conservation Director, said: “The continued presence of ecologically damaging toxins in our environment seriously hampers efforts to halt biodiversity loss and restore nature. The next Government must uphold the neonicotinoid ban and commit to reducing pesticide use. Today’s promise from Labour to prevent the use of emergency derogations for neonicotinoids is a positive step for the environment and will safeguard bees, pollinators and aquatic life, we encourage other parties to bring forward similar policies to reduce reliance on chemicals in food production.”
Not just applied to our fields
Buglife remains concerned about the use of toxins in all sectors of life, with neonicotinoids applied as an active ingredient in flea treatments for cats and dogs. This issue was raised by Luke Pollard MP, in response the Minister said the Government could review the use of neonicotinoids within the upcoming Veterinary Medicines Regulation. Buglife will continue to call for the banning of flea treatments that include banned pesticides and hope that the Government will address the points raised today and provide parliamentary time to debate the best approach.
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Posted On: 06/03/2024