The European Ombudsman has opened an investigation into whether the European Commission has taken appropriate measures to combat increased bee mortality in the EU. According to a complaint from the Austrian Ombudsman Board, the Commission has failed to take into account scientific evidence which recommends restricting the use of certain insecticides.

The European Commission is being investigated by the European Ombudsman with regard its measures to combat increased bee mortality, which is potentially linked to certain insecticides. This follows a complaint from the Austrian Ombudsman Board, alleging that the Commission has failed to take into account new scientific evidence arguing in favour of restricting the use of these insecticides. In October 2011, the Agriculture Committee in the European Parliament already urged the Commission and Member states to take coordinated action to save bees.

According to the complainant, the Commission has failed properly to address the issue of bee mortality, which may be linked to the use of certain neonicotinoids. The Austrian Ombudsman Board, observations from beekeepers, as well as new scientific evidence, suggest that certain neonicotinoids have led to increased bee mortality in recent years.

In the complainant view, the Commission should take new scientific evidence into account and take appropriate measures, such as reviewing the authorisation of relevant substances, in order to address the problem.