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<p> </p><p>Pesticides are authorised for sale and use only if effects on non-target
species, including honeybees, are not unacceptable.</p><p>The Government has, over
a number of years, commissioned broader research on the effects of pesticides on honeybees.
Details of all Defra research can be found at <a href="http://randd.defra.gov.uk/"
target="_blank">http://randd.defra.gov.uk/</a></p><p>Current Defra research projects
include:</p><ul><li>· PS2370 <em>Interpretation of pesticide residues in honeybees</em></li><li>·
PS2374 <em>Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) of the effects of pesticides on foraging
bees</em></li><li>· PS2376 <em>Evaluation of procedures to improve estimates of exposure
of pollinators to neonicotinoid insecticides</em></li></ul><p>In addition, one of
the nine projects being carried out under the Insect Pollinators Initiative (which
is part-funded by Defra) is <em>An investigation into the synergistic impact of sub-lethal
exposure to industrial chemicals on the learning capacity and performance of bees</em>.</p><p>Research
needs in this area are kept under active consideration.</p><p> </p>
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