Environment Food and Rural Affairs written question – answered at on 7 February 2011.
Zac Goldsmith
Conservative, Richmond Park
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on conducting a review under the Chemicals Regulations Directive of data on the effects of neonicotinoid pesticides on honey bees.
James Paice
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Neonicotinoid insecticides are authorised through the rigorous EU pesticides approval process. Products are authorised in the UK after a national risk assessment. The independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) concluded that the 2009 Buglife report highlighted a need for data on the impacts of neonicotinoid pesticides on overwintering of bees in the risk assessment process. This issue had already been identified by regulators and is being addressed through changes to the EU regulatory data requirements. Government scientists have continued to keep up to date with emerging findings and we are supporting further work in this area.
The Government have regularly considered the available evidence in this area and there is no need for an additional review.
Yes3 people think so
No2 people think not
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