What do they want? An action replay?

Paul de Zylva

20 February 2013

The next few weeks could be historic for our bees.

European governments are due to decide whether to act on the latest scientific evidence and restrict use of some pesticides because of 'high acute risk' to bees.

Who knows if the British Government will support the plan and start protecting bees?

Some media reports say the UK Environment and Agriculture Secretary, Owen Paterson MP, will oppose any restriction on neonicotinoids used by farmers and growers.

But during the whole 'neonics' saga he's said his Government will not hesitate to act if there is evidence of harm to bees and beneficial pollinating insects from the use of neonicotinoids.

How much more evidence is needed?

On Tuesday the Government's advisers on pesticides said there is a 'growing weight of evidence' about the risk to bees.

They had examined the latest review of risks to bees by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and scientists from EU Member States including Britain.

EFSA's risk review was clear. It concluded that there is 'high acute risk'  to honey bees and unknown risks to wild bumble and solitary bees.

Of course pesticides companies Bayer and Syngenta insist their products - which are, after all, designed to kill insects - hence the name 'insecticides'- have nothing to do with bee decline.

Bees at risk in official test

Ironicially the Government's pesticides advisers also revealed that the Government's own field trial has exposed bees to risk from neonics.

Not only that, but bees got a dose even from the part of the field which had been sown with oil seed rape seeds not treated with neonics.

So Europe's safety scientists say there's a risk, the UK Government's advisers say there's a 'growing weight of evidence' and now the Government's field tests expose bees to risk.

Action replay

It's as if Ministers are watching an action replay hoping for a different result.

They are in danger of scoring an own goal that will endanger our honey, wild bees and other essential pollinating insects.

It's not as though there are not alternatives to using neonics. Farmers and growers need help, advice and funding to start producing without being so dependent on chemicals.

The Government must stop dithering, delaying and calling for more studies. It's time to act.

Fortunately, retailers from DIY stores to garden centres are not waiting.

It's time to get off the fence.

It's time to join the Bee Cause.