Campaigners welcomed the move but urged ministers to commit to a ban starting in January.

The Government has set out plans to end the use of three pesticides that are lethally toxic to bees and other vital pollinators.

Neonicotinoids were banned in the UK in 2018, but have been authorised for emergency use every year in England since 2021.

Labour pledged to ban the use of these pesticides completely in its general election manifesto.

The Government said it has now outlined the next steps to do so, which include identifying options for legislation to prevent the future use of three neonicotinoids – clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam – in the UK entirely.

But any applications for emergency use next year will still be considered under current laws, meaning the Government could approve their use in 2025.

Environment Minister Emma Hardy said: “We are delivering on our promise to ban toxic bee-killing pesticides and ending the long-term decline of our wildlife.

“A healthy environment is vital to our food and economic security.........

© Shropshire Star