Back a ban for bees’ and our benefit | The Wildlife Trusts

Back a ban for bees’ and our benefit | The Wildlife Trusts

Paul Wilkinson, The Wildlife Trusts’ Head of Living Landscape, said: 

“The Government should follow the advice of the Environmental Audit Committee and place an immediate moratorium on the use of these chemicals. Although further research is always beneficial, there is sufficient and compelling evidence to apply the precautionary principle. We must do the right thing for our bees, our countryside, and our food supply that relies on natural pollination.” 

Over a six month period, the Committee has gathered written and oral evidence from leading scientists, Defra, the pesticide industry and others.  The Committee report recommends that Defra should prepare to introduce a moratorium on the use of imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam on crops that are attractive to bees by 1 January 2014.  The committee also recommend Defra supports such a proposal in the EU - which it has failed to do up until now.