Chamber and committees

Scottish Government scientists have reviewed both published and regulatory scientific data and also keep this issue under constant review.

Some studies in certain conditions demonstrate sub-lethal effects of neonicotinoids, which includes impairment of foraging ability and return to the hive by individuals leading to reduced worker, brood and queen production.

However, studies conducted under realistic field conditions have not identified any unacceptable risk at field population level.

This issue is kept under constant review. The Scottish Government has asked the Advisory Committee on Pesticides to look at the latest European Food Safety Authority’s findings.

Pesticide usage data has been collected by SASA (Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture) from farm records as part of regular surveys since the mid-1970s. Survey results can be found at:

http://www.sasa.gov.uk/pesticides-usage-survey-reports.

Under the European regulatory process for approving pesticides, decisions on pesticide approvals are based on a dossier of evidence submitted by the company. The dossier can include published scientific evidence from independent sources, as well as evidence from studies funded by the company. In the latter case, such studies are required to have been carried out to internationally recognised guidelines and have verified Good Laboratory Practice and quality assurance certification, in order to ensure that the results are objective and impartial.

Under its agency agreement with Scottish Ministers, the Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) is carrying out work designed to help to better understand the likely consequences of possible regulatory options for neonicotinoids, including the implications of alternative pesticides or pest control measures being used.

Pesticides are tightly regulated and subject to a rigorous assessment before they can be sold or used in the UK. This process includes an assessment of the toxicity of pesticides to foraging bees and bee hives.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-12316 on 25 January 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Scottish Government officials have already had contact with scientists who gave evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee, on a number of issues.

The Scottish Government also has extensive contact with scientists on issues relating to bees and bee health through the insect pollinators initiative (IPI). The IPI aims to aid understanding and mitigation of the biological and environmental factors that adversely affect insect pollinators.

There are no statutory rules to say that oilseed rape seed must be treated with neonicotinoids.

According to the Scottish Government’s Pesticide Usage Surveys, virtually all commercially available non-organic oilseed rape seed is pre-treated. Farmers can obtain untreated oilseed rape by using Home Saved seed grown from Conventional Certified seed grown on the farm. The Scottish Government’s data suggests relatively few farmers use Home Saved oilseed rape seed, and those that do mostly still choose to have a dressing applied.

The methodology of safety testing, the studies and guidance required, for an insecticide to be evaluated are available from the Chemicals Regulation Directorate at:

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/guidance/industries/pesticides/topics/pesticide-approvals/pesticides-registration/data-requirements-handbook

Studies have to meet OECD or equivalent guidelines for the testing of chemicals. OECD guidelines can be found at:

http://www.oecd.org/env/chemicalssafetyand biosafety/testingofchemicals/oecdguidelinesforthetestingofchemicals.htm.

The Scottish Government welcomes the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) conclusions on the risks associated with neonicotinoids and bees. We have asked the UK’s Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) to look urgently at EFSA’s evidence. On receipt of the ACP’s advice, we will look at whether additional restrictions are necessary.

Neonicotinoid seed treatments are aimed at two groups of pests on oilseed rape, flea beetles and aphids.

It is difficult to estimate the average yield loss from feeding damage caused by various flea beetle species as crop establishment depends on how favourable crop growth conditions are at the time of sowing.

However, aphids which transmit turnip yellow virus when feeding are estimated to cause a yield loss of up to 30% at an individual crop level.