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<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/apr/29/bee-harming-pesticides-banned-europe">
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/apr/29/bee-harming-pesticides-banned-europe</a>
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The vote by the 27 member states of the
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/eu">European Union</a> to
suspend the insect nerve agents was supported by most nations, but did
not reach the required majority under EU voting rules. However, the hung
vote hands the final decision to the European commission (EC) who will
implement the ban. "It's done," said an EC source, indicating
that a formal announcement on the ban is expected within weeks.<br><br>
The EC argued that EFSA has provided "a strong, substantive and
scientific case for the suspension", which it said was proportionate
to the risk. Three neonicotinoids will be banned from use for two years
on flowering crops such as corn, oil seed rape and sunflowers, upon which
bees feed.<br>
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