Brussels, Belgium
January 30, 2013

Tomorrow, the Commission will present a discussion paper to Member State experts at a meeting of the standing committee on pesticides.

The aim is to exchange views on the range of policy options available, in light of the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) report findings published on 16 January, which assessed the effect of three pesticides, belonging to the neonicotinoid family, on bee health.

"Protecting the health of our bee population is of great importance not only for our European agricultural sector but also for our eco-system and environment as a whole. That is why, back in May 2012, the Commission asked EFSA to carry out a scientific risk assessment review on the effect of these pesticides on the declining bee population. The results are in, and we now need to carefully assess all the policy options that are available to us before bringing forward any legislative and harmonised proposals" said Tonio Borg, European Commissioner for Health and Consumers.

The EFSA findings identified risks to using three neonicotinoids, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin, which are mainly used to treat seeds prior to sowing, on oilseed rape, maize and cereals. No concerns were highlighted for sugar beet.

For the evaluation, EFSA used a new risk assessment scheme that was developed further to a request of the Commission in 2011.

Members of the European Parliament's Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee debated the EFSA conclusions on 23 January and the AGRI Council also discussed the issue on 28 January.

For more information: http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/bees/pesticides_en.htm

Website: http://europa.eu

Published: January 30, 2013