Most uses of neonicotinoid pesticides represent a risk to
wild bees and honeybees, according to assessments published today by EFSA. The
Authority has updated its risk assessments of three neonicotinoids –
clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam – that are currently subject to
restrictions in the EU because of the threat they pose to bees.
These new conclusions update those published in 2013, after
which the European Commission imposed controls on use of the substances.
For the new assessments, which this time cover wild bees –
bumblebees and solitary bees – as well as honeybees, EFSA’s Pesticides Unit
carried out an extensive data collection exercise, including a systematic
literature review, to gather all the scientific evidence published since the previous
evaluations.
The team also applied the guidance document developed by
EFSA specifically for the risk assessment of pesticides and bees.
Jose Tarazona, Head of EFSA’s Pesticides Unit, said: “The
availability of such a substantial amount of data as well as the guidance has
enabled us to produce very detailed conclusions.
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