The Secretary of State, George Eustice, made the decision in response to the potential risk posed from beet yellows virus, despite a similar application being refused in 2018 by the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides because of unacceptable environmental risks.

In 2017, the UK Government supported restrictions on neonicotinoid (neonics) pesticides across the European Union due to the very clear harm that they were causing to bees and other wildlife. The then Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, promised that the Government would maintain these restrictions unless the scientific evidence changed. The evidence has not changed – indeed, the devastating impact this group of pesticides is having on our wildlife has increased, and hardly a month goes by without yet more evidence of the wider ecological crisis. Insect expert, academic and author, Professor Dave Goulson, has warned that one teaspoon of neonic is enough to kill 1.25 billion honeybees, equivalent to four lorryloads.

The Government has stated that authorised applications will have strict conditions to ensure that wildlife is not harmed, but this assertion does not stand up to scrutiny. The authorisation allows “seed-dressing” of sugar beet crops with neonicotinoid pesticides, a method of application that results in only 5% of the pesticide going where it is targeted, in the crop. The rest ends up accumulating in the soil, from where it can be absorbed by the roots of wildflowers and hedgerow plants or can leach into rivers and streams where it could harm over 3,800 invertebrate species, which spend at least part of their life cycle in freshwater.

The authorisation also proposes adding weed killer to sugar beet fields to 'protect' bees by killing wildflowers that grow alongside the sugar beet - because beneficial 'weeds' will have absorbed neonicotinoids through the contaminated soil. Doing so would seriously harm already-threatened populations of wildflowers and the insects that depend on them.

Joan Edwards, Director of Public Affairs at The Wildlife Trusts says:

“The Government has bowed to pressure from the National Farmers Union even though, three years ago, the UK Government supported restrictions on the neonicotinoid pesticides across the European Union, because of the very clear harm that they were causing to bees and other pollinators. We will be writing to the Prime Minister requesting that he reverses the Secretary of State’s decision and focus support for farmers to adopt non-chemical alternatives so that agriculture supports nature and does not destroy it."

The Wildlife Trusts are dismayed that the Government are asking us to choose between the plight of farmers and the plight of bees and wild pollinators. Farmers are in the eye of the storm, experiencing the impact of climate change and more extreme weather events including the mild winter last year, which fuelled the virus affecting sugar beet. Farmers need support and encouragement with using alternative options in dealing with pests and disease, such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM), less mono-cropping, increasing soil health and building resilience into the farm to help combat climate change impacts and reduce the reliance on chemicals that pollute soil and kill insects.

The weight of evidence shows a significant environmental risk posed by neonicotinoids – particularly to our bees and other pollinators – and hundreds of thousands of people came together across Britain over the last decade to call for better protection of our bee populations, and for these highly toxic pesticides to be banned.

What's more, sugar is a crop with zero nutritive value and it is an accepted fact that we currently consume far too much; it is a significant contributor to the obesity epidemic and associated surge in diabetes. In response to this epidemic and the associated cost to the NHS, our Government introduced a sugar tax on fizzy drinks to try to reduce our intake. This move sits at odds with their latest decision to allow the return of a pesticide, which will enable the growth of a crop that is at the root of the problem - one which we know will cause environmental harm.

In 2017, the then Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, said*:

“I have set out our vision for a Green Brexit in which environmental standards are not only maintained but enhanced.

“I’ve always been clear I will be led by the science on this matter. The weight of evidence now shows the risks neonicotinoids pose to our environment, particularly to the bees and other pollinators which play such a key part in our £100bn food industry, is greater than previously understood. I believe this justifies further restrictions on their use. We cannot afford to put our pollinator populations at risk.”

It is unfortunate that within seven days of the end of the Brexit transition period, his successor Mr Eustice, has agreed to a derogation of the law preventing the use of neonics.

Julia Hunt, Head of Advocacy at Kent Wildlife Trust, says:

“Insects aren’t just interesting, they’re vital. Not only do they provide food for all sorts of animals including birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians and fish; they are also critical for humans. They pollinate our crops, control pests and recycle nutrients in the soil. Yet since 1970, we have lost 50% or more of our insects, and 41% of the remaining species are now threatened with extinction. Destabilising ecosystems further will only make matters worse. We all rely on insects, and the Government needs to help farmers to employ approaches that support our insect populations, not annihilate them.”

Joan Edwards adds:

“It’s absurd that as the UK Government commits to spending £3bn of international climate finance on restoring nature and biodiversity, it is also approving the use of nature-destroying neonicotinoid pesticides here in the UK. The Prime Minister is right to say that we will not achieve our goals on climate change, sustainable development or preventing pandemics if we fail to take care of the natural world that provides us with the food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe. But the UK Government cannot claim to be a ‘world-leader’ on protecting and restoring nature whilst supporting the use of these damaging pesticides.”

Kent Wildlife Trust has further advice for people on taking action to help insects at home or in communities by becoming an insect champion here.

*See Defra press release Environment Secretary backs further restrictions on neonicotinoid pesticides