Bees get further protection
The insecticide fipronil poses a "high acute" risk to honeybees when used as a seed treatment for maize, according to a risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
Fipronil, part of the phenylpyrazole chemical family, is used to control various soil insects during their larval growth stage and acts through contact and ingestion.
In January, the EFSA published risk assessments on the effects on bees of the neonicotinoids clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. The assessments showed the chemicals were also harmful to Europe’s bee population.
The European Commission has now adopted measures to restrict the use of the three pesticides from 1 December 2013.
Member states must withdraw or amend existing authorisations to comply with the restrictions by 30 September, although existing stocks of pesticides containing the chemicals can be used until 30 November. The commission says it will review the ban within two years.