Woodcock et al, 2018.pdf (2.43 MB)
Neonicotinoid residues in UK honey despite European Union moratorium
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 15:01 authored by Ben A Woodcock, Lucy Ridding, Stephen N Freeman, M Gloria Pereira, Darren Sleep, John Redhead, David Aston, Norman CarreckNorman Carreck, Richard F Shore, James M Bullock, Matthew S Heard, Richard F PywellDue to concerns over negative impacts on insect pollinators, the European Union has implemented a moratorium on the use of three neonicotinoid pesticide seed dressings for mass flowering crops. We assessed the effectiveness of this policy in reducing the exposure risk to honeybees by collecting 130 samples of honey from bee keepers across the UK before (2014: N = 21) and after the moratorium was in effect (2015: N = 109). Neonicotinoids were present in about half of the honey samples taken before the moratorium, and they were present in over a fifth of honey samples following the moratorium. Clothianidin was the most frequently detected neonicotinoid. Neonicotinoid concentrations declined from May to September in the year following the ban. However, the majority of post-moratorium neonicotinoid residues were from honey harvested early in the year, coinciding with oilseed rape flowering. Neonicotinoid concentrations were correlated with the area of oilseed rape surrounding the hive location. These results suggest mass flowering crops may contain neonicotinoid residues where they have been grown on soils contaminated by previously seed treated crops. This may include winter seed treatments applied to cereals that are currently exempt from EU restrictions. Although concentrations of neonicotinoids were low (<2.0 ng g-1), and posed no risk to human health, they may represent a continued risk to honeybees through long-term chronic exposure.
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- Published
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- Published version
Journal
PLoS ONEISSN
1932-6203Publisher
Public Library of ScienceExternal DOI
Issue
1Volume
13Page range
1-15Article number
e0189681Department affiliated with
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications
Research groups affiliated with
- Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Contributors
James C NiehLegacy Posted Date
2018-09-11First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-09-11First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-09-11Usage metrics
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