The European Commission reported that the EU member states did not reach a qualified majority in the Appeal Committee on the Commission proposal to restrict the use of 3 neonicotinoid insecticides. In absence of an agreement between member states, it is now for the Commission to decide on the adoption of the proposed restriction.

The European Commission proposal to restrict the use of 3 neonicotinoid insecticides did not reach a qualified majority – either in favour or against - in the Appeal Committee. 15 member states supported the restriction, 8 member states voted against and 4 member states abstained during the appeal committee vote. In April 2012, the European Ombudsman opened an investigation into whether the European Commission has taken appropriate measures to combat increased bee mortality in the EU.

Tonio Borg, Health and Consumer Commissioner, stressed that in the light of the vote result the decision now lies with the Commission. Mr Borg highlighted that the Commission will go ahead with its text in the coming weeks since the proposal is based on a number of risks to bee health identified by the European Food Safety Authority.

In particular, the proposal restricts the use of 3 neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiametoxam) for seed treatment, soil application (granules) and foliar treatment on bee attractive plants and cereals. In addition, the remaining authorised uses are available only to professionals. Exceptions will be limited to the possibility to treat bee-attractive crops in greenhouses, in open-air fields only after flowering.