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Written question asked by John Hayes (Conservative) on Friday, 10 January 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 January 2025. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Friday, 17 January 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Bees and Butterflies: Neonicotinoids

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the ban on the use of neonicotinoids on agricultural crops on (a) bee and (b) butterfly population trends.

Answer

Three neonicotinoids – clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam – have not been authorised for general use since 2018. It has remained possible to consider short-term emergency authorisations for particular uses, and emergency authorisation for use on sugar beet was granted each year from 2021 to 2024.

This Government is committed to restoring and protecting nature, including pollinator species such as bees and butterflies. We have given a commitment to end these emergency authorisations and the next steps towards delivering that commitment were set out in a published policy statement and in a written statement to Parliament made on 6 January.

There is clear and abundant evidence that neonicotinoids are harmful to species other than those they are intended to control, and particularly to insect pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Given the complex range of threats faced by pollinators, it is not possible to quantify the benefit of turning the current restrictions on the three neonicotinoids into a complete ban.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
23119
Session
2024-26
Related items
Neonicotinoid pesticides
Monday, 6 January 2025
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects
Conservation Bees Neonicotinoids Butterflies
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk