Three insecticides that have a harmful effect on bees are to be partially banned from today by the European Union.
However, environment campaigners have given only a guarded welcome to the initiative arguing that other harmful pesticides have been ignored.
With bees playing a crucial role in food production and the natural environment, there has been increasing concern across Europe at the collapse of bee colonies.
The banned insecticides are neonicotinoids, a new class of insecticide derived from nicotine.
The ban will be either lifted or made permanent within two years after studies into its impact.
Environmental campaigners like Greenpeace have welcomed the EU move.
However, they have argued that loopholes could prevent the initiative from achieving its aim of protecting Europe's vulnerable bee population.
