Europe will become the world's first continent to ban widely used neonicitinoid insecticides believed to cause serious harm to bees.

On April 29, 2013, EU Member States did not reach a qualified majority either in favor or against a two-year ban on three neonicotinoids. Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden voted in favor of the ban and Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and the UK voted against the ban. Finland Greece and Lithuania abstained.

The decision then fell to the European Commission which upheld the ban. Tonio Borg, Health and Consumer Commissioner, said: "Although a majority of Member States now supports our proposal, the necessary qualified majority was not reached. The decision now lies with the Commission. Since our proposal is based on a number of risks to bee health identified by the European Food Safety Authority, the Commission will go ahead with its text in the coming weeks." To conclude: "I pledge to do my utmost to ensure that our bees, which are so vital to our ecosystem and contribute over €22 billion annually to European agriculture, are protected."

Effective 1 December 2013, the use of clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiametoxam for seed treatment, soil application of granules and foliar treatment on bee attractive plants and cereals is prohibited in the 27 EU countries. In addition, the remaining authorized uses are available only to professionals. The exceptions are bee-attractive crops in greenhouses or crops past their flowering stage in fields.

Bayer CropScience, the German manufacturer of clothianidin and imidacloprid, and Swiss-based Syngenta, which produces thiamethoxam, lobbied intensely in opposition to the ban. The companies claim that the restrictions will harm food production. They urged the EC to instead address diseases and habitat loss as the reasons for declining bee health. The European Food Safety Authority backed the ban, citing a study which found that bees face "high acute risks" from dust in planting and residue in the pollen and nectar of several crops.

The 2-year ban is a landmark victory for millions of environmentalists. Andrew Pendleton, head of campaigns for Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland said, "This decision is a significant victory for common sense and our beleaguered bee populations. Restricting the use of these pesticides could be an historic milestone on the road to recovery for these crucial pollinators. Ministers must now help farmers to grow and protect crops, but without relying so heavily on chemicals – especially those linked to bee decline."

Update 28 December 2012 |  The Beehive Grant web page has been updated to include a link to an online grant application. The application will be activated on January 1, 2013. The link to the application will take users to a log-in page for the Beehive Grants Program Online Registration.

First time users will need to create a VDACS Online Account using the link on the Online Registration web page. A VDACS Online Account may be created prior to the January 1 start date for the grant. However, individuals will not be able to log on to submit a grant application until January 1, 2013.

Once activated the information and documentation required in order to apply for a Beehive Grant may be submitted through the online application. Along with the online application, applicants may submit electronic copies of a ‘Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification’ form (IRS Form W-9) and any itemized receipts from the purchase of qualified items.

Applicants may also send required documentation to the mailing address or FAX number below. Applications will not be processed until a completed application and required documentation are received. Please be advised that processing of applications received by mail or fax may be delayed.