PRESS RELEASE - No 3/2015. Deadly Pesticides Beekeepers call for ban on neonicotinoids in Luxembourg Neonicotinoids are insecticides that are used worldwide to control pest insects. Two years ago, the EU temporarily banned the use of these neonicotinoids as seed coatings as they were suspected of being responsible for an increase in honey bee deaths. Now a scientific overview study of the EU science network EASAC (European Academies' Science Advisory Council) provides new findings. Luxembourg, 14 April 2015 Since December 2013, systemic insecticides belonging to the group neonicotinoids, generally used on maize, rapeseed and sunflower seeds, have been banned throughout the EU. Initially, the ban was for 2 years. The new results of EASAC's meta-analysis study, based on 800 individual scientific publications, now suggest that neonicotinoids not only massively damage honeybees, but also other beneficial insects, such as solitary bees, butterflies and bumblebees. Furthermore, the study emphasizes that one of the effects of these insecticides is that active substances have found their way into in the food chain, which could explain the decline in bird populations. Reason enough to finally take vigorous action, thinks Jean-Paul Beck, President of the Luxembourgish Beekeeping Association (FUAL). "Bees have a lobby in us beekeepers! But who is an advocate of bumblebees and solitary bees?" Beck asks. Fifteen neonicotinoide pesticides, which are not affected by the current EU-wide ban, are currently still registered in Luxembourg. Among them are two products that are used in winter oilseed rape as a spray against pollen beetles shortly before flowering, called Biscaya (active substance thiacloprid) and Gazelle SG (active substance acetamiprid). Beck comments: "At the moment, the pollen beetle can be found in winter rape (oilseed rape) and farmers are already spraying against the pest. There is a big risk that bees and bumblebees are in contact with this pesticide through rape pollen and rape nectar and suffering lasting damage. This has to stop now. " France has become a pioneer: in March 2015 a bill was introduced in the National Assembly, against the use of neonicotinoids in open areas (agriculture, private gardens, public sector). "This should be an example for us!" says beekeeper President Beck. On behalf of the Luxembourg beekeepers, he has handed the French legislative text to Mr Fernand Etgen, the Minister of Agriculture, urgently recommending that he introduce it here. In so doing, Beck has called on the Minister of Agriculture to finally prohibit all applications of neonicotinoids in Luxembourg and to campaign for an EU-wide ban of these pesticides. About us The Luxembourgish Beekeeping Association (FUAL) was founded in 1886 and currently represents over 350 beekeepers organised into 12 cantonal associations in the country. The promotion of beekeeping through training of beekeepers and protection of beekeeping interests vis-à-vis politics, industry and society are fundamental objectives of the Association. For more information: Dr. Michael Eickermann, Member of the Board of Directors of the Luxembourgish Beekeeping Association (FUAL) +352 621 269 499 m.eickermann@gmx.de