Bee Emergency Call: How some Member States are threatening bees by allowing the use of prohibited pesticides and how the Commission does nothing to stop them

Some pesticides, toxic to bees, (including neonicotinoids and fipronil) were banned in 2013. However, the pesticide and seed industry, farmers and many EU Member States are continuing to use these pesticides. This is through a loophole in the Pesticides Regulation that allows for 'emergency authorisations'. 'Emergency authorisations' for banned or non-approved pesticides can only be used in 'exceptional circumstances', for example, when a danger to crops or the environment leaves the farmer or Member State with no other choice other than to use the pesticide. However, this mechanism is being abused. Between 2013 and 2016, over 1,100 emergency authorisations were granted by Member States. In this period, at least 62 emergency authorisations were granted by Member States allowing the use of these bee-harming pesticides.