The British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA), which represents around 30,000 hobbyist beekeepers across England and Wales, has welcomed the news this week that the Government has denied emergency authorisation of the use of the neonicotinoid pesticide, Cruiser SB.
On 23rd January 2025, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced that an emergency application for the use of Cruiser SB on sugar beet in England will not be granted, adding that ‘there is clear and abundant evidence that this neonicotinoid is extremely toxic to pollinators, such as bees.’
This is the first time in five years that an emergency approval for the use of the pesticide has not been passed.
Cruiser SB is a coating for sugar beet seeds that contains the active substance Thiamethoxam, which can cause cognitive problems in honey bees and other pollinators. Farmland that is treated with the pesticide cannot have any flowering crops for three years, leading to diminished forage for pollinators and eventual starvation.
The BBKA’s longstanding position on the use of neonicotinoids pesticides is informed by current scientific evidence regarding their toxic effects on the pollinators on and around the 100,000 hectares of UK farmland which are used for growing sugar beet in the UK.
The charity has long been concerned that the former UK Government’s decision to grant emergency approvals of Cruiser SB did not follow growing scientific evidence or the advice of their own experts.
Announcing the decision earlier this week, Environment Minister Emma Hardy pledged the Government’s commitment to protecting bees from toxic neonicotinoid pesticides, while working to find new ways to protect crops and support farmers.
BBKA Chair, Diane Drinkwater reacted to the Government’s announcement saying:
“The BBKA welcomes this new decision. This is the right decision, now is the time to follow the Government’s expert advice and move to more sustainable alternative methods which will bring benefits to the environment, pollinators, farmers and food security.”