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EU nations vote to ban neonicotinoids

European Union nations have voted to ban the use of neonicotinoids, a move they believe will help protect honey bees.

The use of neonicotinoids in the EU has been restricted to certain crops since 2013 after some studies linked the insecticides to unintended deaths of bees. Environmental groups sought the total ban, which has sparked a debate across the continent about the wider use of chemicals in farming.

Bayer and Syngenta are impacted most by the decision. Bayer called the ban “a sad day for farmers and a bad deal for Europe” and said it would not help bees. Syngenta said neonicotinoids pose a minimum threat to bee health compared to a lack of food, diseases and cold weather.

Link to Syngenta statement