A Government study by their agency Fera into neonic use has been published today. Buglife have taken a look behind the spin of the official press release and conclude that the study shows three key results:
- A clear relationship across regions between imidacloprid use (the commonest neonicotinoid used during the period of the study) and overwintering honeybee colony losses.
- Neonicotinoid seed treatments (mainly imidacloprid) on Oilseed rape did not produce a consistent yield benefit – positive in three years, negative in one and no overall effect.
- Neonicotinoid use reduced insecticide spray use in the autumn only if the initial use of the neonicotinoid was ignored, but appeared to increase insecticide sprays the following spring – net effect circa 0.75 more insecticide uses per hectare.
More here.
Simple Bees 
This may also add to the debate.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/what-is-killing-americas-bees-and-what-does-it-mean-for-us-20150818
I received a link to this article today. Quite coincidental really.
Thanks for that, Kevin. By chance I received the same article today by a different route. It is a good background piece for those not familiar with the sorry saga.
Gareth