The UK government has faced criticism from environmental groups such as ClientEarth and Natures_Voice, politicians, and scientists for granting emergency authorization for the use of a banned neonicotinoid pesticide on sugar beets for the fourth consecutive year. Despite the ban on this pesticide since 2018 and promises of alternatives by 2024, the government has approved its use almost annually, which has been condemned as a betrayal to sustainable farming and a disregard for the precautionary principle. The Expert Committee on Pesticides noted that the requirements for emergency authorizations had not been met, and with 36 pesticides banned in the EU not outlawed in the UK, there is growing concern over the government's commitment to environmental protection.
Thirty-six pesticides banned in the EU have not been outlawed in the UK. This, and all kinds of other Brexit-induced anti-environmental crap, excellently investigated by @horton_official https://t.co/mbuqyAGqjH
Spoiler alert - shockingly the precautionary principle was *nowhere* in Govt decision, in spite of their own expert committee concluding “the requirements for emergency authorisations have not been met”. Ministers recklessly risking harm to bees & other pollinators yet again 🐝 https://t.co/qw02htIiO2
☣️ Yesterday the govt approved the use of a toxic neonicotinoid on sugar beet. ⚠️ The precautionary principle is enshrined in law to protect people and the environment from potential harm when evidence or certainty may be absent. ❓ Where was it in this decision.../1 https://t.co/V1DBeon9sE
Notes from the recent Expert Committee on Pesticides meeting, with respect to the application for an "emergency application" of #neonicotinoids on sugar beet. Why is our government not following the science? https://t.co/CHx1zHRP8e
Bee-harming pesticide granted emergency approval again https://t.co/eoYXftMuIX
Here we go again. Unbelievable that for *4th year running* this reckless Govt is giving green light to banned pesticide meant to be used only in an “emergency”. The real emergency is the state of our embattled nature & wildlife - these toxic pesticides will only destroy more https://t.co/GS237QG8aE
Since banning this pesticide in 2018, the Government have approved its use on sugar beet almost every year since - harming bees and rivers. We were told alternatives would be in place by 2024. That was clearly a lie. Short term profits come at the expense of nature instead 🐝 https://t.co/aOUGEQdC1b
🚨Breaking 🚨 @GOVUK has approved the use of a banned bee-killing pesticide for the fourth year in a row‼️ This is a: ❌deathblow for wildlife 😡a backward step in evidence-based decision-making 🌱betrayal to farmers who try to produce food sustainably. https://t.co/HSknR6PSDo
BREAKING: Emergency authorisation has been granted for a banned neonicotinoid pesticide to be used on sugar beets for the fourth year in a row @ClientEarth @Natures_Voice https://t.co/mOVsHs9mta