News from the BBKA

From the CSL website:

May 2008 - Seed Treatments and Bees

In respect of the current concerns about the threat of seed treatments for maize to bees, the Pesticides Safety Directorate has advised as follows: We are aware of the concerns in some other Member States about the use of certain seed treatments containing clothianidin and imidacloprid. However, we are not aware of any problem in the UK related to any seed treatments and bees. There have not been any incidents reported to the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS.) to date which could be connected to the use of seed treatments. Given the vigilance of beekeepers it is highly unlikely that had there been any incidents they would have gone unnoticed.
CSL Wildlife Incident Unit

Of the three active substances which are mentioned only imidacloprid is approved for treatment of oilseed rape seed and clothianidin for maize seed. This is the first year in which treatment of maize seed with clothianidin has been approved in the UK. We note that in the incidents in Germany the treatment was being used at a very high rate, 125 g a.s./ha in an attempt to control Diabrotica (Plant Health- Diabrotica). In the UK it is approved at a maximum rate of 60 g a.s./ha on maize.

We will, of course, keep a close watch on the situation but currently have no concerns that use of these products according to the conditions of approval will cause a risk to bees in the UK.