A Europe-wide ban on pesticides linked to the decline in bee populations is due to be pushed through by the European Union within weeks.
The European Commission is forcing through the temporary move despite a vote in Brussels failing to reach the level required to form a qualified majority.
Some 15 countries backed the change, with Britain among eight opposing it and another four members abstaining.
This is not enough for a qualified majority but the European Commission is using its right to make the final decision, now two votes have failed to clear the hurdle.
It means the use of three of the world's most widely-used pesticides will be restricted.
The decision is a major victory for environmental campaigners who had raised concerns about the dramatic decline in bee populations.
But it is a blow to chemical companies who make billions from selling the pesticides, called neonicotinoids, and to British ministers who have fought a ban.
EU health and consumer commissioner Tonio Borg said: "Since our proposal is based on a number of risks to bee health identified by the European Food Safety Authority, the commission will go ahead with its text in the coming weeks.
"I pledge to do my utmost to ensure that our bees, which are so vital to our ecosystem and contribute over 22bn euros (£18.5bn) annually to European agriculture, are protected."
Campaigners backing the ban protesting in London last week In Britain, the coalition has fiercely resisted any ban on "neonicotinoids" because it argues that the science about the damage to bee levels is inconclusive.
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson had called for any decision to be delayed until more studies were completed.
Environmental campaigners were infuriated by the Government's repeated opposition to a ban.
Greenpeace chief scientist Dr Doug Parr accused the British government of "being in the pocket of big chemical companies and the industrial farming lobby".
The organisation has now called for the European Commission to impose the ban for at least two years.
Its EU agriculture policy director Marco Contiero said: "Those countries opposing a ban have failed.
"Now, the Commission must draw the only conclusion possible and immediately halt the use of these pesticides as a first step to protect European food production and ecosystem."
Friends of the Earth said the vote was a "significant victory for bees and common sense".
Head of campaigns Andrew Pendleton said: "Restricting the use of these pesticides could be an historic milestone on the road to recovery for these crucial pollinators."
Mr Pendleton added that the UK government's lack of support for a ban was "another blow to its environmental credibility".
"Ministers must now help farmers to grow and protect crops, but without relying so heavily on chemicals - especially those linked to bee decline," he said.
Bee numbers have been devastated across Europe in recent years, with a subsequent steep rise in honey prices for consumers.
Major fears have also been raised about pollination problems for trees if bee populations continue to slide.
Last Friday beekeepers and their supporters staged a demonstration in London, urging Britain to support the pesticide ban but it still voted against it.
Hungary joined Britain, but France and Germany were among the 15 supporting nations.
The pesticides suspected of harming bees are chiefly produced by two firms, Bayer of Germany and Sygenta in Switzerland, which is the top player in the global agrichemical market.
The companies have rejected claims that their products are at fault and say studies behind the suggested ban are based on flawed science.
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