The British Bee Keepers Assn rejects a ban on neonics:

PRESS RELEASE Friday 5 April 2013
BBKA Response to the EAC Report on Pollinators and Pesticides

The BBKA welcomes the publication today of the Environmental Audit Committee report on Pollinators and Pesticides. Not only does the report examine the possible role of neonicotinoid pesticides on honey bees and wild pollinators, but it also looks at the vital issues of habitat degradation and consequential poor forage availability.

Amongst its many recommendations, the report urges Defra to introduce a moratorium on the use of three neonicotinoids on crops attractive to bees. Whilst the BBKA is concerned about the possible damage that these substances may be inflicting on pollinators, it notes that unequivocal field based studies have not been conducted and the evidence is incomplete. 

Perhaps more importantly, the BBKA does not wish to see any action taken that may in itself cause damage to pollinators for example by the inevitable re-adoption by farmers of older superseded and more hazardous chemical agents being re-employed in crop protection.

As noted, the authors of the report still appear to be unable to demonstrate deleterious effects of neonicotinoids on honey bees managed by beekeepers in the UK and we renew our call for further investigations to reassure us that these products can be used safely with regard to honey bees.

The report discusses the use of the precautionary principle and it is obvious from the report that clarification is required on what is meant by the precautionary principle and how it is to be applied with regard to pesticides in the UK and Europe.

http://www.bbka.org.uk/files/library/bbka_response_to_eac_report_5_april_2013_1365163362.pdf

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