Regulation Neonicotinoid

1 regulation

1.1 united states
1.2 europe

1.2.1 economic impact


1.3 canada

regulation
united states

the epa operates 15-year registration review cycle pesticides. epa granted conditional registration clothianidin in 2003. epa issues conditional registrations when pesticide meets standard registration, there outstanding data requirements. thiamethoxam approved use antimicrobial pesticide wood preservative , pesticide; first approved in 1999. imidacloprid registered in 1994.

as neonicotinoids registered after 1984, not subject reregistration, due environmental concerns, concerning bees, epa opened dockets evaluate them. registration review docket imidacloprid opened in december 2008, , docket nithiazine opened in march 2009. best take advantage of new research becomes available, epa moved ahead docket openings remaining neonicotinoids on registration review schedule (acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, thiacloprid, , thiamethoxam) fy 2012. epa has said expects complete review neonicotinoids in 2018.

in march 2012, center food safety, pesticide action network, beyond pesticides , group of beekeepers filed emergency petition epa asking agency suspend use of clothianidin. agency denied petition. in march 2013, epa sued same group, sierra club , center environmental health joining, accused agency of performing inadequate toxicity evaluations , allowing insecticide registration based on inadequate studies. case, ellis et al v. bradbury et al, stayed of october 2013.

on 12 july 2013, rep. john conyers, on behalf of himself , rep. earl blumenauer, introduced save american pollinators act in house of representatives. act called suspension of use of 4 neonicotinoids, including 3 suspended european union, until review complete, , joint interior department , epa study of bee populations , possible reasons decline. bill assigned congressional committee on 16 july 2013 , did not leave committee.

europe

in 2008, germany revoked registration of clothianidin use on seed corn after incident resulted in death of millions of nearby honey bees. investigation revealed caused combination of factors:

failure use polymer seed coating known sticker
weather conditions resulted in late planting when nearby canola crops in bloom;
a particular type of air-driven equipment used sow seeds apparently blew clothianidin-laden dust off seeds , air seeds ejected machine ground;
dry , windy conditions @ time of planting blew dust nearby canola fields honey bees foraging;

in germany, clothianidin use restricted in 2008 short period on rapeseed. after shown rapeseed treatment did not have same problems maize, use reinstated under condition pesticide fixed rapeseed grains additional sticker, abrasion dusts not released air.

in 2009, german federal office of consumer protection , food safety decided continue suspend authorization clothianidin use on corn. had not yet been clarified extent , in manner bees come contact active substances in clothianidin, thiamethoxam , imidacloprid when used on corn. question of whether liquid emitted plants via guttation, bees ingest, posed additional risk unanswered.

neonicotinoid seed treatment banned in italy, foliar use allowed. action taken based on preliminary monitoring studies showing bee losses correlated application of seeds treated these compounds; italy based decision on known acute toxicity of these compounds pollinators.

in france, sunflower , corn seed treatment imidacloprid suspended; imidacloprid seed treatment sugar beets , cereals allowed, foliar use.

in 2012, european commission asked european food safety authority (efsa) study safety of 3 neonicotinoids, in response growing concerns impact of neonicotinoids on honey bees. study published in january 2013, stating neonicotinoids pose unacceptably high risk bees, , industry-sponsored science upon regulatory agencies claims of safety have relied may flawed , contain data gaps not considered. review concluded, high acute risk honey bees identified exposure via dust drift seed treatment uses in maize, oilseed rape , cereals. high acute risk identified exposure via residues in nectar and/or pollen. efsa reached following conclusions:

exposure pollen , nectar. uses on crops not attractive honey bees considered acceptable.
exposure dust. risk honey bees indicated or not excluded, exceptions, such use on sugar beet , crops planted in glasshouses, , use of granules.
exposure guttation. completed assessment maize treated thiamethoxam. in case, field studies showed acute effect on honey bees exposed substance through guttation fluid.

efsa’s scientists identified number of data gaps , unable finalize risk assessments uses authorized in eu. efsa highlighted risk other pollinators should further considered. uk parliament asked manufacturer bayer cropscience explain discrepancies in evidence submitted.

in response study, european commission recommended restriction of use across european union. on 29 april 2013, 15 of 27 eu member states voted restrict use of 3 neonicotinoids 2 years starting 1 december 2013. 8 nations voted against ban, while 4 abstained. law restricts use of imidacloprid, clothianidin , thiamethoxam seed treatment, soil application (granules) , foliar treatment in crops attractive bees. temporary suspensions had been enacted in france, germany , italy. in switzerland, neonicotinoids never used in alpine areas, neonics banned due accidental poisonings of bee populations , relatively low safety margin other beneficial insects.

environmentalists called move significant victory common sense , our beleaguered bee populations , said crystal clear there overwhelming scientific, political , public support ban. uk, voted against bill, disagreed: having healthy bee population top priority us, did not support proposal ban because our scientific evidence doesn’t support it. bayer cropscience, makes 2 of 3 banned products, remarked bayer remains convinced neonicotinoids safe bees, when used responsibly , properly … clear scientific evidence has taken back-seat in decision-making process. reaction in scientific community mixed. biochemist lin field said decision based on political lobbying , lead overlooking of other factors involved in colony collapse disorder. zoologist lynn dicks of cambridge university disagreed, saying victory precautionary principle, supposed underlie environmental regulation. simon potts, professor of biodiversity , ecosystem services @ reading university, called ban excellent news pollinators , , said, weight of evidence researchers points need have phased ban of neonicotinoids.

the decision review in 2016. in march 2017, guardian printed article claimed had obtained information indicated european commission wants complete ban , cite high acute risks bees . ban in place year (2017) if proposals approved majority of eu member states.

economic impact

in january 2013, humboldt forum food , agriculture e. v. (hffa), non-profit think tank, published report on value of neonicotinoids in eu. @ website hffa lists partners/supporters: basf fe, world s largest chemical company; bayer cropscience, makers of products crop protection , nonagricultural pest control; e.on, electric utility service provider; kws seed, seed producer; , food company nestlé.

the study supported copa-cogeca, european seed association , european crop protection association, , financed neonicotinoid manufacturers bayer cropscience , syngenta. report looked @ short- , medium-term impacts of complete ban of neonicotinoids on agricultural , total value added (va) , employment, global prices, land use , greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions. in first year, agricultural , total va decline €2.8 , €3.8 billion, respectively. greatest losses in wheat, maize , rapeseed in uk, germany, romania , france. 22,000 jobs lost, in romania , poland, , agricultural incomes decrease 4.7%. in medium-term (5-year ban), losses amount €17 billion in va, , 27,000 jobs. greatest income losses affect uk, while jobs losses occur in romania. following ban, lowered production induce more imports of agricultural commodities eu. agricultural production outside eu expand 3.3 million hectares, leading additional emissions of 600 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.

when report released, peter melchett, policy director of soil association, has been working ban neonicotinoids in uk, commented since report funded bayer crop sciences , syngenta, unlikely conclude neonicotinoids should banned . spokesperson further stated: on 1 hand, chemical companies risk additional costs farmers amounting £630 million. on other, possible cost of losing pollinating insects thought worth 3 times (£1.8 billion*) uk farmers.

canada

in montreal, quebec, corn seeds , majority of soybeans treated neonicotinoids. in summer of 2015, montreal passed law reduce presence of neonicotinoids. montreal’s regulations written reduce percent of seeds , beans covered neonicotoids 20 percent within 2 years.

agricultural businesses oppose montreal’s ban. croplife canada trade association represents manufacturers of agricultural plant science , pest management products. main argument against montreal’s ban once farmers no longer allowed use neonicotinoids, use dangerous pesticide sprays on seeds. industry’s opposition centers around white house pollinator health task force report , canadian senate report. reports said bees face more serious threats scientifically safe neonics.

on 10 december 2015, montreal banned neonicotinoids – without exception – on properties within city limits, including botanical garden, agricultural areas , golf courses.