'Sound science'' needed on the effect of pesticides on bees.

Byline: Karen Dent

THE NFU is calling for an independent and comprehensive assessment of the impact of neonicotinoid pesticides on honey bees after the chemicals were implicated in a report by insect charity Buglife. The Buglife report, which was backed by the Soil Association and the Pesticide Action Network UK, looked again at some of the existing research and recommended that the use of all neonicotinoid products be suspended as a precautionary measure.

But the NFU said it was "fundamentally opposed" to Buglife's approach, which, it says, is not based on clear and sound scientific evidence.

NFU horticulture adviser, and lead on bees, Dr Chris Hartfield said: "Buglife's call for a suspension on the use of neonicotinoids is not backed by any of the key beekeeping organisations in the UK.

"Although the report adds a useful perspective to the debate the fact of the matter remains there is still no clear evidence that the use of crop protection products containing neonicotinoids is a factor causing the worrying honey bee losses we are experiencing across the UK.

"All pesticides undergo a very rigorous approval process based on sound science and we would expect sound scientific arguments to be presented before the withdrawal of any product was considered.

"What the debate really needs is an independent and comprehensive assessment of the situation to inform the process."

He said that "sound science and clear evidence" was the only way to resolve the debate surrounding bees and pesticides.

"To tackle bee health problems effectively we believe we need to work on the basis of what we know, not what we suspect," he added.

The NFU is currently working with beekeepers and the Government as part of efforts to get to the root of why the UK's honey bee population is falling.

The main culprits, according to the country's key beekeeping organisations, are pests and disease.

John Howat, bee farmer and secretary of the Bee Farmers'' Association of the UK, said: "The fact is that the parasitic mite varroa is a major pest killing honey bee colonies, and our controls for it are failing. Why do we need to divert our attention from this danger? The reduced resistance of the honey bee caused by varroa infection makes them more susceptible to other problems such as viruses, bacterial diseases, and possibly crop protection chemicals. But for the BFA the evidence is far from clear.

"Until there has been a thorough and unbiased review of all the evidence, which takes account of the quality of the evidence and the relevance of it to honey bees in the field, we are not prepared to call for any ban."

Bans on the use of some neonicotinoids were put in place in France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia but no improvement was observed .

CAPTION(S):

REVIEW The NFU is calling for a proper assessment of bees'' health.