In a landmark decision on March 18, 2025, the Cluj Court of Appeal issued a ruling that suspends the controversial temporary authorizations for neonicotinoid-based plant protection products in Romania. The decision came after a legal challenge by ROMAPIS - BeeLife member in Romania - dedicated to advocating for Romania's beekeepers, in partnership with Eco Ruralis, a small farmers’ association.
The suit was filed against the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) following the issuance of derogations in December 2024, which temporarily allowed the use of two banned neonicotinoids -Imidacloprid and Thiamethoxam - in the country.
These neonicotinoids have been banned across the European Union due to their detrimental effects on pollinators and their link to widespread bee population declines.
The court decision, which carries immediate and executory effects, effectively halts the use and marketing of the pesticides in question. For agroecology and beekeeping across Romania, this marks a “critical victory” after over a decade of continuous derogations that have severely impacted the nation's beekeeping industry, placing countless bees at risk of poisoning and disrupting the balance of the ecosystem.
The derogations, which have consistently allowed the use of illegal toxic substances for the past 12 years in Romania, have long been a source of frustration and concern for environmentalists, beekeepers, and agricultural reform advocates. Despite repeated warnings and even a ruling from the CJEU declaring such derogations illegal, the Ministry of Agriculture continued this practice, exploiting loopholes in EU pesticide regulations. This recent success, therefore, is not a reaction to a newfound realization but rather a long-awaited relief after years of persistent advocacy.
"We hope this legal action will give Romanian beekeepers the certainty they need, knowing that our beekeeping sector will be finally protected from the harmful effects of these pesticides," said Constantin Dobrescu, Vice-President and board member of ROMAPIS, "Romania must follow now the example of other European countries that prioritize agro-ecological solutions rather than toxic pesticides."
The case has been a pivotal moment for environmental and agricultural policy in Romania. With the suspension of these derogations, Romania now stands at a crossroads: an opportunity to embrace a future where beekeeping and agriculture can coexist without relying on harmful chemicals. It is a moment for both the government and the agricultural community to reconsider their approach to pest control and prioritize long-term ecological health.