Written questions, answers and statements

Neonicotinoids

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Question for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

UIN 36113, tabled on 28 April 2016

Question

Ms Margaret Ritchie
Social Democratic & Labour Party
South Down
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her Department's policy is on restrictions on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.

Answer

George Eustice
Conservative
Camborne and Redruth
Commons

Answered on

4 May 2016

The Government’s policy on pesticides, including neonicotinoids, is that decisions should be made on the basis of all the scientific evidence. Restrictions should be put in place if these are necessary to protect people or the environment.

EU restrictions on the use of neonicotinoids imposed in 2013 remain in force and have been fully implemented in the UK. The European Commission has asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to review the risks to pollinators from neonicotinoids. This review is due to conclude in January 2017 and the UK will contribute fully as it progresses. Following the completion of EFSA’s work, the European Commission will consider whether to propose changes to the current restrictions.

Answered by

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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