Question 7660 — biodiversity

Summary

Several beekeeping organizations have reported particularly marked excess mortality of bee colonies at the end of winter 2017/2018 in several French regions. Faced with this situation, on June 7, 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food asked its services to organize a precise inventory of mortalities throughout the national territory. A survey system combining a qualitative assessment and quantitative was thus put in place. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food questioned its services to quickly collect all available information concerning possible increases in winter mortality observed at the end of winter 2017/2018. This investigation reports feedback from the regional directorates of food, agriculture and forestry on winter mortality. 2017/2018 increasing compared to previous winters in Brittany, New Aquitaine, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté mainly, even if occasional cases of significant mortality are also reported in other regions, and affect all categories of beekeepers (recreational and professional). In order to clarify the first inventory drawn up by the official services, a “quantitative” survey » for French beekeepers, developed as part of the national epidemiological surveillance platform in animal health (ESA platform), will be launched this summer. Beekeepers will be informed individually of the opening of the survey to which they will be invited to respond by email or post. In terms of monitoring, the observatory of mortalities and weakening of bee colonies, set up in 2017 exploratory manner in two pilot regions (Brittany and Pays de la Loire), should in particular make it possible to objectivize the situation of the beekeeping stock. Beekeepers actively participated in the system by bringing health events encountered in their apiaries to the attention of the observatory. A first operating report was published on June 6, 2018. Discussions are being carried out at the national level with the various stakeholders to specify the methods of investigation in research, on a technical and analytical level including the toxicological aspect. This observatory is ultimately intended to be deployed in all French regions. Concerning the more specific monitoring of toxicological risks linked to possible misuse or unintentional effects of chemical products (plant protection products, biocides, veterinary medicines), a A system for monitoring acute mass bee mortality has existed for several years. Following its evaluation by the national agency for food, environmental and occupational health safety (ANSES) in 2017, this system was reviewed at the beginning of 2018, in conjunction with a technical working group bringing together experts and stakeholders to improve the system in the short and medium term. The Ministry of Agriculture and of food also finances the “BAPESA” study, involving in particular the technical and scientific institute of beekeeping and pollination, the national institute of agronomic research and ANSES, which aims to evaluate the exposure of bee colonies to antiparasitic substances and biocides used in breeding and to study the possible associated health effects on bee colonies. In terms of struggle against biological agents responsible for weakening and mortality, taking into account the health and economic issues linked to varroa destructor, a national strategy for prevention, surveillance and control has been developed in order to reduce the pressure of infestation on apiaries with technical work carried out by GDS France. The sector, possibly through its newly created inter-professional association, must take priority over this subject by engaging in a regulatory strategy in the face of this parasite. With regard to reducing the impact of chemicals and plant protection products in particular, Law No. 2016-1087 of August 8, 2016 for the reconquest of biodiversity, nature and landscapes prohibits the use of products from the neonicotinoid family as of September 1, 2018. However, exemptions may be granted until July 1, 2020 by joint order of the ministers responsible for agriculture, environment and health. They must be based on a report established by ANSES comparing the benefits and risks linked to the uses of plant protection products containing neonicotinoid active substances with those linked to the uses of substitute products or available alternative methods. The ANSES opinion and report “ relative risks and benefits of alternatives to plant protection products containing neonicotinoids” were published on May 30, 2018. Any exemptions will be decided on the basis of the conclusions of this report, developments and the supervision of these molecules at the European level. In fact, additional restrictions were passed at the end of April, targeting three neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) and restricting their use only in greenhouses, with effective application on December 19, 2018. Furthermore, thiacloprid was recently classified as reprotoxic (R1) by ECHA (competent European agency). Furthermore, the government action plan on plant protection products and agriculture less dependent on pesticides was presented on April 25, 2018. It provides, among the measures intended to preserve the environment, a strengthening of the regulatory system for the protection of bees and other pollinating insects. It is currently based on various provisions of the decree of November 28, 2003 relating to the conditions of use of insecticides and acaricides for agricultural use with a view to protecting bees and other pollinating insects, the decree of January 13, 2009 relating to the conditions of coating and use of treated seeds and the decree of April 7, 2010 relating to the use of extemporaneous mixtures of plant protection products. This transversal system complements the conditions of use specific to each product, which are specified in the marketing authorization issued following the product risk assessment, including the assessment of risks for pollinators. In light of new scientific data, ANSES has been asked to formulate proposals for changes to this regulatory framework. Finally, improving consumer information is an important issue to which the minister is particularly sensitive, as he was able to point out during the examination of the amendments to the bill for the balance of commercial relations in the agricultural and food sector. An amendment was adopted to this effect and now appears in the draft law. But the subject must also be addressed at the European level and the minister is committed to bringing an initiative to his European colleagues in order to develop European regulations in this area.

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