Bayer CropScience has criticized the findings of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s report on neonicotinoids that suggest a connection between the pesticide ingredients and the decimation of bee colonies.

In its long awaited report published last week the agency said the family of chemicals, which includes the German group’s imidacloprid-based neonics harms bees when used on certain crops such as citrus and cotton.

The company said the report – the first of four planned by the agency – appears to overestimate the potential for harmful exposures while ignoring the important benefits these products provide and management practices to protect bees.

Neonics have been widely adopted by growers because of their favorable human and environmental safety profile, Bayer added, “especially when compared to the older products they replaced.”