What are they?
Neonicotinoid (NNI) pesticides are used to protect crop seeds from damage cause by pests. They are most commonly used on oil seed rape.
Chemicals are absorbed into the plant making all parts of it – including pollen and nectar – poisonous to insects.
However scientists and campaigners say neonicotinoids have a greater environmental impact, both for plants and animals.
Ironically, the loss of bees is considered potentially damaging to agriculture because of the role they play in pollinating other plants.
When did the problem start?
NNI were introduced into farming in the early 1990s, but became commonly used in the 2000s
The European Commission announced an EU-wide ban on the substances in April 2013 which is set to expire next year.
Britain agreed to comply with the ruling, but said it didn’t agree with the science behind the decision.
What is the problem?
Concern has focussed on honey bees, whose population has declined by around 25 per cent in recent years.
Numerous studies have directly linked bee death to the use of neonicotinoid – though not everyone is convinced.
Critics say too many test are carried out in unnatural laboratory conditions, and that their results are therefore not reliable.
They also point to loss of habitat and changing land use as reasons why numbers are dropping.
How do neonicotinoids affect bees?
Researchers claim they interfere with bees’ brains, limiting their abilities to learn and remember what food they should be eating.
Some experiments link the pesticide to a form of bee epilepsy, in addition to reduced breeding activity.
What’s happening now?
Critics claim a ban extension would put crops at risk and harm the economy.
Chemical firms say it isn’t necessary, and are eager not to lose out on sales worth billions of pounds.
They have lobbied both the British government and EU regulators, but without success.
More recently, Bayer and Syngenta commissioned a study by an independent research lab, the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.
It is wholly funded by the two companies – an arrangement supported by Defra.
An independent committee of experts was also set up to oversee every stage of the process.
Meanwhile UK has set out a national pollinator policy to protect Britain’s bees.
So what’s the issue?
MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee have criticised the government’s position for being too reliant on industry data and funding.
They have raised concerns over whether Bayer and Syngenta may have unduly influence the study into neonictinoids effects after emails between the three parties emerged.
The discovery led Conservative MP Zac Goldmsith to claim the study “can longer be regarded as independent or credible.”
Both Bayer and Syngenta strongly refute any suggestion of bias and have denied playing any undue role in the experiment’s design.
CEH say the study is no different to any other, and that they have “complete freedom” over the tests’ design and how the data is analysed and published.
Source - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
