07/04/2022 (Agence Europe) – The European Commission announced on Thursday 7 April that it will move forward to protect pollinators from the highly toxic neonicotinoid pesticide Sulfoxaflor, which Member States are in no hurry to restrict (see EUROPE 12888/14). The Appeal Committee, which the Commission had called upon in the hope of obtaining sufficient support for its proposal to ban outdoor uses of the pesticide, failed to achieve the required qualified majority. The Commission will therefore proceed with the adoption of its proposal in the coming weeks. EFSA’s scientific findings show that the outdoor use of Sulfoxaflor can be harmful to bumblebees and solitary bees. “Action needs to be taken now”, says Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides. (AN)