Bees & Pesticides: Commission to proceed with plan to better protect bees

EU News 209/2013

29 April 2013
IP/13/379
Brussels

Today, EU Member States did not reach a qualified majority – either in favour or against - in the Appeal Committee^[1] which discussed a Commission proposal to restrict the use of 3 neonicotinoid insecticides.

Tonio Borg, Health and Consumer Commissioner, said: "Although a majority of Member States now supports our proposal, the necessary qualified majority was not reached. The decision now lies with the Commission. Since our proposal is based on a number of risks to bee health identified by the European Food Safety Authority, the Commission will go ahead with its text in the coming weeks." To conclude: "I pledge to do my utmost to ensure that our bees, which are so vital to our ecosystem and contribute over €22 billion annually to European agriculture, are protected."

15 Member States supported the restriction, 8 Member States voted against and 4 Member States abstained during the appeal committee vote.

Source and additional information:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-379_en.htm?locale=en

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