Further restrictions on neonicotinoid pesticides have been approved following a vote by EU member states last week.

The UK voted in favour of the ban on outdoor use of three neonicotinoids: Clothianidin, Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam.

Currently they can be used to treat sugar beet, various horticultural crops and as seed treatments for winter cereals.

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However, there is concern that their risk to bees and pollinators is greater than previously thought.

The government will maintain current restrictions and new measures will only come into force following a phasing-out period of eight months.