Insecticide firms in secret bid to stop ban that could save bees

EU Member States did not reach a qualified majority on the 29 April 2013 – either in favour or against - in the Appeal Committee which discussed a European Commission proposal to restrict the use of 3 neonicotinoid insecticides.

Tonio Borg, Health and Consumer Commissioner, said: 'Although a majority of Member States now supports our proposal, the necessary qualified majority was not reached. The decision now lies with the Commission. Since our proposal is based on a number of risks to bee health identified by the European Food Safety Authority, the Commission will go ahead with its text in the coming weeks.'

15 Member States supported the restriction, 8 Member States voted against and 4 Member States abstained during the appeal committee vote.

In absence of an agreement between Member States, it is now for the European Commission to decide on the adoption of the proposed restriction.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background Information: EFSA assesses risk of entry of bee pests into EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/efsa-assesses-risk-of-entry-of-bee-pests-into-eu/

BBC News, 29.04.13: Bee deaths: EU may ban neonicotinoid pesticides http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22335520

EurActiv, 30.04.13: Green NGOs hail 'historic' victory in pesticides vote http://www.euractiv.com/sustainability/environment-ngos-hail-historic-v-news-519428

EUObserver, 29.04.13: EU to ban bee-killing pesticides http://euobserver.com/environment/119979

France 24, 29.04.13: European Union to ban bee-harming pesticides http://www.france24.com/en/20130429-european-commission-ban-pesticides-bees-eu

PressEurop, 30.04.13: Pesticide ban to end the slaughter of the bees http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/3735341-pesticide-ban-end-slaughter-bees

EFSA: Press Release, 16.01.13: EFSA identifies risks to bees from neonicotinoids http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/130116.htm

Wikipedia: Neonicotinoid http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonicotinoid

European Commission: RAPID: Press Release, IP/13/379: Bees & Pesticides: Commission to proceed with plan to better protect bees http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-379_en.pdf

European Commission: DG Health and Consumers: Overview: Animal Health and Welfare: Bees/Neonicotinoids http://ec.europa.eu/food/archive/animal/liveanimals/bees/neonicotinoids_en.htm

European Commission: DG Health and Consumers: Overview: Animal Health and Welfare: Bee health http://ec.europa.eu/food/archive/animal/liveanimals/bees/bee_health_en.htm

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