Cynicism towards both sides of the debate has to be good.
Lets not forget though how the neonicotinoids are used. The seed is bought already coated with the chemical. This means that every plant is treated whether it needs it or not - there is blanket coverage, whereas with some other chemicals they are used as and when necessary. I'm not supporting chemical use of any kind, although I realise that in many situations they are the only answer. As a world, we need to take the utmost care that any of the man-made products we happily splash around the place are the least harmful to the environment worldwide as possible.
It's not only bees and other pollinators which are affected by systemic pest controls such as the neonicotinoids. By their nature, they become a part of every plant, throughout its tissues. Any insect, any invertebrate which eats the plants will themselves be filled with the poison - that's what it's for of course. These mini-fauna are food for birds and small mammals, so before long at all the stuff is found throughout the food chain. Remember DDT, which was thought to be the answer to all our woes but had a devastating effect throughout the world's ecosystems?
The chemical will also be present in the ground, via the seed and roots of the plants, so do we know just what effects this has on life in the soil? Soil isn't a dead substance, but a living system which allows and supports the growth of all plants. Do we know the effect on our water courses? It has already been found that the oestrogens from the urine of women on the Pill has had an effect on the fertility of fish - who would have expected that?
Of course it doesn't stop with animals and birds - we, humans, use the oil made from crops such as oilseed rape, so we are ingesting the pesticide directly, incorporated into many of the foods we buy, as well as the basic cooking oils. Remember the organophosphates which have caused many human problems including severe depression leading to suicides?
The ban on the use of neonicotinoids comes from the European Union, so any attempt by the Tory Government and Syngenta to override this will mean they have to appear before the European courts. If the decision, against reason, goes in favour of Syngenta, we will still have the right to appeal to Europe.
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/apr/29/bee-harming-pesticides-banned-europe