Neonicotinoid Study

A study carried out in the UK on the effects neonicotinoids have on bumble bees is claimed to have major weaknesses by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).  The EU body will therefore not alter its earlier conclusions on the subject (see Bulletin 04(13)).  The study carried out by the UK’s Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) found that the insecticides when used under a ‘normal agricultural setting’ did not have a ‘major effect on bumble bee colonies’.  But EFSA has said the study wasn’t wide enough; it did not take into account the effects of dust and sap exposure to the insecticides and only looked at oilseed rape in the UK which was not representative of other areas of the EU.