UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING. Neonicotinoids: bans, exemptions... update on apicidal insecticides

The Court of Justice of the European Union issued a ruling this Thursday January 19, 2023 asking France to waive its derogation which allows beet growers to use these toxic substances.

What are neonicotinoids?

Neonicotinoids are the most widely used insecticides in the world. They help protect crops from insect pests and livestock and pets. They come in pellets, seed treatments or sprays, as reported by ANSES.

In agriculture, neonicotinoids include five substances: clothianidinL’imidaclopridthe thiamethoxamL’acetamiprid and the thiaclopridAnd.

What problems do they pose?

The use of neonicotinoids leads to health problems, at an environmental level. Nicknamed “the bee killer”this substance is also a concern for other animals such as fish, rodents, etc.

Of the environmental and health impacts they are considered important enough by some organizations to encourage their ban.

Restrictions and bans over time

In 2013, the European Commission imposed restrictions on the use of three neonicotinoids considered harmful to bees: clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam.

In France, in 2016, the law for the recovery of biodiversity, nature and landscapes provides for a ban on neonicotinoid-based products from 1 September 2018.

In 2018, the European Commission banned the use of the three substances clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam at European level, with the exception of use in greenhouses. But a year later, another substance belonging to the neonicotinoids, thiacloprid, was also banned in Europe.

In 2019, only theacetamiprid is authorized in Europe. France adds to its list of prohibited substances close to neonicotinoids: sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone.

Derogations for beets

However, some exemptions have been granted. Since the promulgation of the French law banning these insecticides in 2018, it has been specified that derogations could be granted until 1 July 2020 and in particular for beets.

However, alternatives to these neonicotinoids are used by French beet growers and during the summer of 2020 the government specifies that this has proved ineffective.

The executive specifies that “the use by tanning the seeds” for sugar beets can be taken into consideration.

A decision motivated by Environment Minister Barbara Pompili because “this derogation – temporary and closely monitored – is the only possible short-term solution to avoid the collapse of the sugar industry in France”.

Until 2023, a decree authorizes French beet growers to temporarily use products based on neonicotinoids.

New: the French derogations signaled by the European Union

The Court of Justice of the European Union issued a ruling on Thursday 19 January 2023 relating to the use of neonicotinoids for seeds and the right to derogate from the European ban. It should be remembered that European judgments are binding on national judges, and therefore on French judges.

According to the European body, the authorization granted by France to some beet growers does not comply with European legislation.

France will examine the legal consequences of this decision to see if it can continue to apply this derogation.

Horizon 2024, with an effort on alternatives

France wishes to maintain this derogation until 2024, for 400,000 hectares. More so after the launch of a program for the release of neonicotinoids and the search for alternatives, in order to coordinate a large research effort, entirely focused on sugar beet yellows to provide effective alternative solutions to neonicotinoids.

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