"The EPA announced Thursday it supports the continued use and registration of neonicotinoids, a class of insecticides linked to declines in bees, aquatic insects and birds.

The Environmental Protection Agency released its proposed interim decisions for acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam. Neonicotinoids are used on a wide variety of crops.

A number of scientific studies have linked the widespread use of neonicotinoid seed coatings to large declines in populations of pollinators and birds. The European Union in 2018 banned all outdoor uses of clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, the three chemicals seen as posing the greatest concern for bee health."

Adam Allington reports for Bloomberg Environment January 30, 2020. [2]