13.05.2013

Temporary EU ban on three pesticides: ifp offers neonicotinoid analytics

The European Commission has decided to temporarily ban three pesticides. A simple majority of the EU member states had voted in favour of this decision in the Appeal Committee on 20 April 2013.

The three substances to be banned - clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiametoxam - belong to the group of neonicotinoids and are suspected of playing a part in the global bee death observed in recent years. Neonicotinoids are systemic insecticides that are absorbed by the plant via the roots and then protect the plant from biting and sucking insects. These substances are also used as seed treatment agents.

The ban on these three substances is to come into force for a temporary period of two years on 1 December 2013, and shall apply to plants that are known to be particularly attractive for bees (e.g. rapeseed, corn…).

ifp Institut für Produktqualität covers the above range of substances and analyses foods for residues using LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS.