Pesticides put bees at risk, European watchdog confirms, Europe News & Top Stories - The Straits Times

Pesticides put bees at risk, European watchdog confirms

LONDON (REUTERS) - Wild bees and honeybees are put at risk by three pesticides from a group known as neonicotinoids, Europe's food safety watchdog said on Wednesday (Feb 28), confirming previous concerns that prompted an EU-wide ban on use of the chemicals. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) report, which covered wild bees and honeybees and included a systematic review of scientific evidence published since EFSA's 2013 evaluation, is seen as crucial to whether the European moratorium on neonicotinoid use remains in place. The updated risk assessment found variations due to factors such as species of bee, exposure and specific pesticide, "but overall the risk to the three types of bees we have assessed is confirmed", said Mr Jose Tarazona, head of EFSA's pesticides unit. The European Union has since 2014 had a moratorium on use of neonicotinoids - made and sold by va...

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