Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will introduce a timetable to end the emergency authorisation of neonicotinoid pesticides.

This government remains committed to ending the use in England of the three neonicotinoid pesticides (thiamethoxam, clothianidin, imidacloprid) that threaten vital pollinators, including through emergency authorisations.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published updated guidance for emergency authorisations of pesticides. This update clarifies and strengthens the existing guidance to ensure that future emergency authorisations take full account of the risks that pesticides may pose including to pollinators.

Negotiations are also underway on a Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement with the EU. Any further action, such as potential legislative options, can be considered once the new pesticides regulatory framework for Great Britain is agreed.