A ban on the the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, which have been blamed for falling bee numbers, has been passed by a vote in the EU. The European Commission will impose a two-year restriction on the chemicals. 

APRIL 29, 2013. Dr Lynn Dicks, Research Associate at the University of Cambridge:

>This is a victory for the precautionary principle, which is supposed to underlie environmental regulation. Scientific evidence is unclear about the role neonicotinoids play in causing declines in bees and other flower-feeding insects. They are probably one of many interacting threats, so a broader approach to protecting insects would be better. But neonicotinoids are one factor that MIGHT be causing a serious problem. The precautionary principle says we should err on the side of caution and stop using them while we find out more.

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4/25/2005 Cass R. Sunstein, University of Chicago

The Precautionary Principle as a Basis for Decision Making

> Over the coming decades, the increasingly popular "precautionary principle" is likely to have a significant impact on policies all over the world. Applying this principle could lead to dramatic changes in decision making. Possible applications include climate change, genetically modified food, nuclear power, homeland security, new drug therapies, and even war. We argue that the precautionary principle does not help individuals or nations make difficult choices in a non-arbitrary way. Taken seriously, it can be paralyzing, providing no direction at all. 

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PER SANDIN (2004) Institute Royal of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden

Precautionary Principle and the Concept of Precaution

> Of course, every activity is associated with some risk of damage. My wearing of a bow tie at a party might, for instance, through a highly complex causal chain, result in the end of the World. Far-fetched, but not impossible. Thus, an absolutist interpretation of the precautionary principle would prohibit in principle every action. Since any action, in a sense, might have unforeseen catastrophic consequences the action of carrying it out will be prohibited, and so will the action of not carrying it out.

> The precautionary principle is an important element in environmental decision-making … Whether this actually will promote environmentally sound decisions is another question.

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