Bee deaths: EU may ban neonicotinoid pesticides

EU states are to vote shortly on a proposal to restrict the use of pesticides linked to bee deaths in scientific studies.

There is great concern across Europe about the collapse of bee populations, BBC reports.

Neonicotinoid chemicals in sprays are believed to harm bees and the European Commission says they should be restricted to crops not attractive to bees and other pollinators. But many farmers and crop experts argue that there is insufficient data.

The Commission will impose a two-year restriction on neonicotinoids if the states fail to agree.

Wild species such as honey bees are said by researchers to be responsible for pollinating around one-third of the world's crop production. An EU vote last month was inconclusive, so the Commission proposal went to an appeals committee, which is voting on Monday.

Under EU rules, changes can still be made to the draft, but if there is still no qualified majority for or against the proposal the Commission can impose the moratorium.

A report published by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) in January concluded that the pesticides posed a "high acute risk" to pollinators, including honeybees.

However, it added that in some cases it was "unable to finalise the assessments due to shortcomings in the available data".