A charity is calling for a pesticide to be permanently banned from use on crops in Scotland after evidence pointed to it harming bumblebees

The Scottish Wildlife Trust says new research shows bumblebees have difficulty collecting pollen when exposed to the chemical – causing them to bring back over a third less pollen than non-exposed bees.

This means less food for the colony and could explain why queen bees are less productive.

The research adds to the growing body of evidence showing the group of pesticides called neonicotinoids are harmful to bumblebees and honey bees.

In December the EU imposed a temporary two-year ban on the use of three types of neonicotinoids as crop protection products, a move welcomed by the SWT.

Dr Maggie Keegan, head of policy, said: “The trust has campaigned to get this group of toxic chemicals permanently banned from use in Scotland because of the damaging effects they have been shown to have on honey bees and bumblebees.

“While we welcome the temporary two-year ban imposed by the EU, which gives our wild pollinators a bit of a chance to recover, this new research should be another nail in the coffin for this group of pesticides which we believe should be permanently withdrawn from use in Scotland.”