EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 33/243

(2004/C 33 E/249)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2269/03

by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(9 July 2003)

Subject: Decline in the bee population/use in pesticides of the active agent Imidacloprid

Beekeepers in France, Germany, Italy and Austria are all reporting the same phenomenon: a massive decline in the bee population. In some regions, up to 80 % of all swarms have died. This has already led to falls of several thousand tonnes per year in honey yields. Since honey bees also play a key role in pollination, yields of apples, pears and rape are also diminishing.

French beekeepers are blaming the severe decline in the bee population which they have been suffering since 1994 on the insecticide Gaucho (active agent: Imidacloprid) marketed by the firm BayerCropscience. Imidacloprid is used both as a spray and in the treatment of seeds. Systemic insecticides of this kind move from the seed into the plant at germination and are later present throughout the plant. Harmful insects die when they eat part of the plant, but, since the active agent also finds its way into pollen, bees are also damaged. As a result, the French Ministry of the Environment has banned the use of Gaucho in sunflower cultivation.

That Imidacloprid is harmful is not in doubt — the packaging for every product containing it bears the words ‘dangerous to bees’. A number of tests have shown that this insecticide damages bees' sense of direction. In response, the French National Union of Beekeepers, the German Union of Beekeepers, the German Nature Conservancy and the Coalition Against BAYER Dangers are calling for a preventive ban on the use of Gaucho.

1. What is the Commission's response to the massive decline in the bee population in all parts of Europe?

2. How does the Commission assess the risks to agriculture?

3. Is consideration being given to suspending marketing approval for Imidacloprid?

4. Is the Commission supporting investigations into the risks involved in using Imidacloprid?

5. Is Bayer exerting pressure with a view to ensuring that Imidacloprid continues to enjoy full marketing approval?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(14 August 2003)

The Commission would like to refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to Written Question P-1804/02 by Mr Souchet (1).

The Commission has received information about the decline of bee populations in some Member States. Currently, there is no scientific evidence that the cause of this decline is due to one single factor such as the use of pesticides.

Moreover the Commission would like to emphasize that plant protection products have to be labelled to reflect their intrinsic hazards. This is done on the basis of the results of standard tests done under extreme exposure conditions. The information put on the label has to be read however in relation to the instructions for use. Member States cannot authorise a plant protection product if, when used according to these instructions, it has an unacceptable impact on non-target organisms, such as honeybees.

In the framework of the review of existing active substances Bayer, as the notifier for Imidacloprid, will have to submit at the latest on 30 November 2003 a complete dossier to the rapporteur Member State Germany. The Commission is also aware of specific studies that are ongoing in France. A plant protection product can only be included in the positive list of Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (2) if a notifier demonstrates that the provisions of its Article 5 are satisfied. The Commission does not contribute financially to studies necessary to demonstrate the acceptability of Imidacloprid.

(1) OJ C 309 E, 12.12.2002.

(2) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991.