THE threatened two-year suspension of the use of three neonicotinoids for use on corn, oil seed rape, sunflowers and other flowering crops by the EC has been lifted, after Britain and Germany failed to lend their backing.

It had been claimed that the insecticides cause damage to the health and populations of millions of bees vital to the cross-pollination of European crops.

The case for a ban on the three neonicotinoids (Clothianidin, Imidacloprid and Thiametoxam) was presented to member states’ experts on DG Sanco’s Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health/Pesticide Residues on March 15.

Iain Keith of campaign group Avaaz said: “Britain and Germany have caved in to the industry lobby and refused to ban bee-killing pesticides.”

However Syngenta (which, along with Bayer CropScience, manufactures the pesticides) CEO John Atkin said: “Restricting the use of this vital crop protection technology will do nothing to help improve bee health. The EC has relied too heavily on the precautionary principle, without taking the principle of proportionality into account.”

Despite the decision, it is still possible a ban could be upheld if the vote is successfully appealed. Last week’s vote saw 13 nations in favour of the ban, five abstaining and nine opposing, meaning there was no clear majority for or against.

Defra confirmed it has carried out “extensive research” into the impact of the pesticides on bees but the results have not been made public as yet.