Dear Customer,

As a buyer of IMIDASECT 5GR we have decided to send this note for your information.

You will have seen the publicity earlier this week surrounding the decision by the EU to impose restrictions on three neonicotinoid pesticides, including imidacloprid the active in our product Imidasect 5GR. The UK and seven other countries voted against the proposal, four countries abstained and fifteen voted for it. Without a qualified majority it is now down to the EU to decide how to proceed, but a ban on seed treatments of certain crops and restrictions on other uses is certain.

We have had sight of the draft regulation being finalised in Europe. The key point for Imidasect 5GR is;

  • the use of imidacloprid on ornamentals (Imidasect 5GR) is unaffected as use in glasshouses is exempt from the ban (we believe that the UK is likely to interpret glasshouses as any protected crop).

So far CRD have not advised approval holders of any changes to approvals, we believe that they will wait until the final text is agreed, which has to be agreed by all the EU Directorates.

The possible impact of neonicotinoids on bees was not direct toxicity, the rates required for that are extremely high, but rather through an effect on the foraging behaviour of the bees. This is said to disorientate them and so reduce their fitness and possibly lead to a colony decline. However there has been no research using field rates of exposure which demonstrates this, it is extrapolated from laboratory work. The one large scale field trial conducted in the UK showed no effect, which is why the UK voted against the proposal as it was not supported by the scientific data.

Interestingly the British Bee Keepers Association did not support the ban due to a lack of evidence and a (very real) concern that growers would switch to other older broad-spectrum foliar applied products with a much greater impact on bees. The bee issue is complex with impacts from a range of sources including Varroa parasitic mites, loss of habitat and climate change all affecting the bee population.

Imidasect 5GR remains a fully approved product with no changes to the registered uses and we anticipate that this will not change as a result of the EU action.

If you have any questions please call our Technical Help Line on 01903 721591 or email us on .