Though I don't have much knowledge of the topic I'm probably in the same camp. Neonics aren't a good thing to be putting into the environment in my view and I'd much prefer that it didn't happen even if I think the threat to bees may often be overstated. However, exporting our sugar production difficulties to countries with far poorer controls over use of pesticides, workers rights and environmental issues as well as the environmental cost of getting the stuff here from wherever it is produced is a bit of a pathetic way to attempt to deal with the problems.
I suspect that the general population's addiction to sugar means there is no positive way to deal with the situation we now face, at least in the short term.
James