The EU supports two-year ban pesticides ... - RTVE

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The European Commission has secured the support of a majority of countries enough to go ahead with its proposed ban for two years the use of the three most common neonicotinoid pesticide seed as sunflower, rapeseed, cotton and Corn, for the risks posed to the health of the bees. Brussels hopes that the measure comes into force in January 2014.

A total of

1 five countries have veto its approval to two years , including Germany and Bulgaria, countries that abstained in previous meetings, and Spain , already favored months ago, according to Europa Press reported sources Community.

eight delegations voted against, including UK and Italy , and four countries abstained.

This vote is not a “qualified majority” with regard to automatically adopt the measure, but it prevents the opposing countries form a blocking force, so “gives Brussels the authority to adopt” the veto , explained from the EU executive.

measure could affect third seed prepared in the EU and Spain is one of the major producers, so initially called postpone any decision until we have more conclusive evidence, but ultimately ruled in favor in a first vote in March.

Shortly after the vote, the Commissioner of Health and Consumer Affairs, Tonio Borg said his plan “is based on a number of risks to the health of bees identified by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)” and has pledged to “do everything possible to protect” these insects, “vital to our ecosystems.”

beekeeping involves 22,000 million for agriculture European, as Borg.

For the December 1, 2013

Commissioner initially wanted

restrictive measures come into force from next July, but finally propose its application from December 1 this year.

EU sources have told Europa Press that the delay is due to the legal requirement to notify the changes to three months in advance, but also to will give producers time to adapt .

Borg has added the necessary support at a meeting of the Appeal Committee who are experts in Brussels 27, after failing last March in a first attempt States subjected to other committee members.

Then, thirteen Member States, including Spain, voted for the EU proposal, but nine countries opposed to five, including Germany and the United Kingdom abstained.

The proposal is based on the precautionary principle from the EFSA report pointing three pesticides of the neonicotinoid family marketed in Europe by Bayer and Syngenta: clothianidin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid .

These chemicals can affect the nervous system of insects causing paralysis and death, but do not pose a risk to human health.

Brussels wants to limit the use of these pesticides to professionals and to prevent their application in seeds and cereal grains or plants that are “attractive” to bees. While provides for exceptions to crops in greenhouses and in the case of crops in the open, “just after flowering.”

addition, the Commissioner agrees to review the measure within two years and as soon as new scientific and technical advances.