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Neonicotinoids

Asked by Neil Duncan-JordanLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 30 June 2026UIN 12964

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans she has to set out a timetable to ban the emergency use of neonicotinoids.

Answered by Emma Hardy

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.

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