Research by Syngenta and Bayer on their own neonicotinoid pesticides revealed that the products caused significant damage to honeybees, according to Greenpeace. The environmental campaigning group has obtained the unpublished field trials through a freedom of information request. In one study, published in 2013, researchers from Bayer’s research unit found that imidacloprid was “highly toxic for bees” when applied directly onto treated plants. Bees and other pollinators are essential for pollinating 75% of global food crops. In April 2016, in response to an independent study, Syngenta said: “It is important to note that the colony studies were conducted by directly feeding colonies with spiked sucrose, which is not representative of normal field conditions.” Neonicotinoids, the most commonly used insecticides in the world, were banned in relation to flowering crops by the EU in 2013.
Research by Syngenta and Bayer on their own neonicotinoid pesticides revealed that the products caused significant damage to honeybees, according to Greenpeace. The environmental campaigning group has obtained the unpublished field trials through a freedom of information request. In one study, published in 2013, researchers from Bayer’s research unit found that imidacloprid was “highly toxic for bees” when applied directly onto treated plants. Bees and other pollinators are essential for pollinating 75% of global food crops. Neonicotinoids, the most commonly used insecticides in the world, were banned in relation to flowering crops by the EU in 2013.