A proposed measure to restrict the use of pesticides that have been implicated in bee die-offs around the world was left in limbo on Friday, after representatives from Britain and Germany, two of the largest members of the European Union, abstained from the voting in Brussels. The move left the committee without the needed qualified majority, which gives larger countries greater weight than smaller ones.

The proposal was based on a recent report from the European Food Safety Authority recommending that no pesticide containing chemicals known as neonicotinoids be used on crops that are attractive to honeybees, because of the risk that the insects would be poisoned.

Frédéric Vincent, a spokesman for the European Commission, said that for the moment officials in Brussels, including the European health commissioner, Tonio Borg, would “reflect” on what steps to take next, adding: “This isn’t the end of the story.”