EU scientists begin review of ban on pesticides linked to bee declines

Risk evaluation could pave the way for a rolling back of the hard won EU-wide ban on three neonicotinoid pesticides

The European Food Safety Authority (Efsa) has begun a review that could pave the way for rolling back a pioneering EU-wide ban on three neonicotinoid pesticides, that are thought to have ravaged European bee populations.

In a letter to the European commission last month, which the Guardian has seen, the EU scientists said that they would finish their risk evaluation by the end of January 2017.