Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 2 June 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 June 2008. It was answered by Jonathan Shaw (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 June 2008 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Pesticides: Environment Protection

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the risks posed by the agricultural use of clothianidin and other neonicotinoid pesticides to (a) the wider insect population and (b) the beekeeping industry.

Answer: A number of neonicotinoid pesticides are currently approved for use in the UK including: clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, acetamiprid and thiamethoxam.The risks posed by products containing neonicotinoid pesticides to insects and bees were assessed as part of the authorisation process to which all pesticides are subjected before they are approved for use by Ministers.Laboratory studies indicate that these compounds have high toxicity to honeybees and other insects such as ladybirds, lacewings and some ground dwelling beetles. However, studies conducted under field conditions, using products containing these compounds in accordance with their approved conditions of use provide data which support the conclusion that the level of risk is acceptable.Field studies included monitoring impacts on honeybees confined to tents and exposed to flowering crops of maize, oilseed rape and sunflowers grown from seed treated with pesticides in excess of the UK approved application rate. No significant differences on bee behaviour or mortality were reported in treated and untreated crops.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 477 c273W; 208891
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Pesticides
Monday, 14 July 2008
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Insects Bees Neonicotinoids
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk