A ban on the use of plant protection products based on imidacloprid by professional users in two specific areas is necessary and proportional, since alternative measures – a requirement of purification with a yield of 99.5 % and controlled distribution – have not led to any significant improvements in surface-water levels of imidacloprid. The ban is limited to two specific areas where recent studies have shown that despite the aforementioned measures, excessive concentrations of imidacloprid are still present in the water; it will apply exclusively to professional users of plant protection products in covered cultivation (greenhouse horticulture) in these areas.

This Decree prohibits the use of plant protection products based on imidacloprid as the active substance by professional users in covered cultivation in two limited areas (the greenhouse horticulture areas of Oostland and Westland as designated by the Minister). Based on recent monitoring reports indicating unacceptably and persistently high concentrations of imidacloprid, the measure will be limited to the greenhouse horticulture areas of Oostland and Westland.