Neonicotinoid chemicals were banned by the EU in 2019 due to their potential impact on the health of bees, other pollinators and the wider environment.

But the continuing threat from the beet disease virus yellows (VY) - carried by infected aphids and capable of halving beet yields - prompted the sugar industry to seek a temporary derogation.

For the last four years, under the previous government, Defra had agreed a conditional emergency authorisation to use a seed treatment called Cruiser SB on non-flowering sugar beet plants - but only if a high virus threshold was reached, and subject to strict controls.

But this year, the Labour government has announced it will not grant the application for 2025 due to "clear and abundant evidence that this neonicotinoid is extremely toxic to pollinators such as bees" - a move which has been welcomed by wildlife and environment campaigners.

Neonicotinoid pesticides were banned due to their potential impact on the health of bees and other pollinators........

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