European Union member states were today (15 March) unable to reach agreement on a European Commission proposal to ban three pesticides that are suspected of harming bees.

Representatives from 13 countries voted in favour of a temporary ban on three neonicotinoids – imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam – and nine member states voted against. But despite support from France, Italy and Spain, abstentions from Germany and the UK meant that the ban could not be adopted under qualified majority.

In January, a report by the European Food Safety Authority found that the neonicotinoids, used to treat seeds before they are planted, could be responsible for a decline in bee populations. As a result, the Commission  proposed a ban. Failure to get approval means the Commission will have to come up with a new proposal or refer the matter to national environment ministers.

Environmental campaigners who are pushing for a ban remained upbeat after the vote.

“Today’s inconclusive outcome keeps hopes alive that the proposed neonicotinoid suspensions can be implemented soon,” said Bart Staes, a Belgian Green MEP. “Thankfully, some of the reticent EU governments responded to pressure from civil society and EU citizens by not blocking the proposals today, as had been feared.”

The companies that make the neocotinoids, Bayer Crop Science and Syngenta, say the EFSA study is inconclusive and does not provide enough evidence to support a ban. They warn that banning seed treatment will lead to more harmful pesticides being used on crops.

Friedhelm Schmider, director general of the European Crop Protection Association, said that the failure to reach an agreement, “shows that member states are doubtful about the proportionality of the measures proposed by the Commission.”

“The measures would clearly have an impact on expected yield, economic growth and jobs with no improvement on bee health,” he added.