EU-28: Further Restrictions to Neonicotinoids
The current EU restrictions on neonicotinoids have been in place since 2013 as the substances were considered toxic to bees and other pollinators. The European Commission now plans to further restrict the use of neonicotinoid pesticides and on August 4, 2017, notified the restriction proposals to the World Trade Organization. The comment period ended on October 3, 2017. These proposals would ban all uses for clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam except for the application in permanent greenhouses in the EU. These measures are deemed necessary by the European Commission to address alleged risks to bees indicated in recent reports by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). If the measures are adopted in the near future, this would mean that all prohibitions could be in place within the first half of 2018. There are no implications expected for the maximum residue levels (MRLs) and import tolerances for these substances at this point in time, but USEU/FAS will continue to monitor.
