Just one teaspoonful of toxic pesticide can kill 1.25 billion bees – but may soon be authorised for ’emergency’ use for fifth time
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New analysis of Environmental Agency data has revealed the widespread pollution of bee-killing pesticides in English rivers – with these findings emerging as the UK government considers to again grant ’emergency’ authorisation for the use of a currently-banned bee-killing pesticide on sugar beet crops.
These pesticides, known as neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics) are known for their harmful effects on bees, and their proportion within English rivers has increased over the last two years too.
This new data shows that one or more harmful neonics were found in 85 per cent of English river sites (23 of the 27 tested). In particular, the areas where sugar beet farming and processing is most concentrated – particularly the East Midlands and East of England – were found to have the highest concentrations of the chemicals.
Taking the top spot for overall neonic detection rate, however, was the South West and South East of England, in 54 per cent and 41 per cent of samples respectively. The largest number of neonics on a single site were found in the River Waveney and River Wensum in the East Midlands.
These findings come after concerns were raised over the declining numbers of rivers being tested by the Environmental Agency, falling from 43 sites in 2020-2022, down to 27 between 2023-2024, with nature charities warning this is an indicative sign of the EA’s worsening resources and decline in river monitoring.
What pesticides were studied?
The presence of five types of pesticides was studied in the recent research, including Clothianidin and Imidacloprid – two of the most prevalent types.
Clothianidin is a legal pesticide, but is also a breakdown product of the banned bee-killing pesticide that has been authorised for use by the previous Conservative Government for the last 4 years.
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Imidacloprid is banned in the UK, but is used in tick and flea treatments– leading researchers to believe that the presence of this neonic in river waters is due to the use of such treatments for pets and livestock.
Ending emergency use – or not?
In its recent election manifesto, the Labour Party pledged to end emergency use of these banned neonicotinoid pesticides.
But British Sugar – the company which provides 60 per cent of the UK’s sugar market – has sought to ask for emergency authorisation to use sugar beet seeds coated in Cruiser SB, a chemical based on the neocin thiamethoxam.
The UK government is yet to confirm or deny this request – but if approved, it will mark the fifth year that the major player in the sugar industry has been permitted to use neocins for ’emergency’ use.
So toxic is thiamethoxam to bees that just one teaspoonful can kill 1.25 billion of the insects.
But even though it may be authorised for use again, 40 per cent of sugar farmers say they already choose not to use the product when it is legal to, showing how the industry is more than able to cope without environmentally-damaging pesticides.
Charities have also expressed opposition to these emergency authorisations, with a current petition from Greenpeace alone raising 1.6 million signatures so far.
‘Scientists are clear that neonicotinoids are killing bees and other pollinators while threatening our nature and food security,’ said Policy Director at Greenpeace UK Dr Doug Parr. ‘We now have worrying new findings about these pesticides polluting our waterways and harming the life in our rivers.’
‘Before the election Labour pledged to stop further use of bee poisons and, with the public overwhelmingly in support, they simply must stand by their promises. Now Labour are in the hot seat of government they can take the initiative by supporting farmers to transition away from these chemicals, backing essential clean food production and ensuring that nature can recover.’
