WRITTEN QUESTION E-2269/03 by Hiltrud Breyer (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Decline in the bee population/use in pesticides of the active agent Imidacloprid.
Date: 2003-07-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: apiculture, chemical industry, environmental impact, insecticide, market approval, plant health legislation

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/243

What measures will the Commission take concerning cadmium and lead thresholds for wild mushrooms,
given that studies by authoritative researchers have revealed dangerous levels of those metals in wild
mushrooms that are freely marketed in the EU? (3)

(1) The Italian Association of Food-Producing Companies (cid:1) circular dated 20 April 1999 addressed to the member

companies on ‘Italy’s external trade in mushrooms in 1998’ (Milan).

(2) OJ L 77, 16.3.2001, p. 1.
(3) L. Cocchi et al., 2001 (cid:1) ‘Metalli pesanti e isotopi radioattivi nei funghi: aspetti igienico-sanitari’ (‘Heavy metals and
radioactive isotopes in mushrooms: health and hygiene aspects’,
the Second International
Conference on Mycotoxicology, Viterbo, 6-7 December 2001 (cid:1) Associazione Micologica Bresadola (cid:1) Centro Studi
Micologici, 2002, 17:73-91.

in Proceedings of

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2003)

Legislation on contaminants in food sets maximum levels for lead and cadmium in all cultivated
mushrooms. Wild mushrooms are presently not covered because, at the time these levels were set, no data
were available to indicate that the dietary intake of lead and cadmium from wild mushrooms was a
concern for public health.

The Member States have recently gathered new data on levels of lead and cadmium in different foods. It is
expected that the report will be finalised before the end of 2003. This report will be used for the review of
maximum levels for lead and cadmium in foods.

(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 (cid:1) 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?

C 33 E/244

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

3.

4.

Is consideration being given to suspending marketing approval for Imidacloprid?

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

Is Bayer exerting pressure with a view to ensuring that

5.
marketing approval?

Imidacloprid continues to enjoy full

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.

(2004/C 33 E/250)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2271/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Progress in the Zakynthos city drainage project

(7 July 2003)

A drainage project in Zakynthos city has been financed by the Cohesion Fund. An amending decision set a
date of 30 December 2000 for the completion of work. In view of the enormous delays, the Commission
has stopped payments on the project. According to the information I have, the Ministry of Economic
Affairs has announced an investigation into the matter.

Could the Commission say what proportion of the project has already been completed, what payments
have been made, whether it has received the findings of the investigation by the Ministry of Economic
Affairs and what further action it intends to take in relation to this project?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2003)

On 30 October 2001 the paying authority sent the Commission an intermediate payment application for
this project. Pending receipt of additional information it still awaits a decision.