In the UK, Defra has insisted that neonicotinoids pose a 'low risk' towards the health of bees after completing its assessment into the controversial insecticides.
Two new pieces of research carried out by Defra and the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) contradict the findings of an EU risk assessment which had deemed neonicotinoids a threat to bee health, with the European Commission (EC) still hopeful of a two-year ban by July.
The Fera report, based on field trials that examined bee colonies on three different sites, observed that 'no clear consistent relationships were observed between the variation in neonicotinoid residues across colonies within and between sites and colony mass and the number of new queens produced.'
The Defra study report concluded: 'The risk to bee populations from neonicotinoids, as they are currently used, is low.'
Defra chief scientist Ian Boyd said that a ban on neonicotinoids would be wrong after its research proved inconclusive.
'Decisions on the use of neonicotinoids must be based on sound scientific evidence,' he explained. 'The analysis of laboratory studies published by Defra demonstrates that while we cannot rule out the possibility of neonicotinoids affecting pollinators, we cannot be clear as to the extent of their impact.'
However, Emma Hockridge of the Soil Association has criticised Defra for 'relying on limited trials', pointing to a separate study released which suggested that neonicotinoids have a negative impact on the health of bees.
'As we continue to see consistent evidence signalling neonicotinoids should be banned, we call on the UK government to vote to ban a number of neonicotinoid pesticides as is currently being discussed in the EU.'
Meanwhile, the chemical giants behind the three neonicotinoids facing an EU ban, UK-based Syngenta and German firm Bayer CropScience, have launched a joint plan to help secure the future of the insecticides.
