University of Sussex
Browse
Woodcock et al, 2018.pdf (2.43 MB)

Neonicotinoid residues in UK honey despite European Union moratorium

Download (2.43 MB)
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 Pywell
Due 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.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

PLoS ONE

ISSN

1932-6203

Publisher

Public Library of Science

Issue

1

Volume

13

Page range

1-15

Article number

e0189681

Department 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 Nieh

Legacy Posted Date

2018-09-11

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-09-11

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-09-11

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Licence

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC