Last month, the Government gave emergency authorisation for the use of the Cruiser SB pesticide (containing a neonicotinoid) in England. A number of constituents contacted me about this authorisation and raised concerns about its impact on our bee population. This is a vitally important issue as research has shown an overall decline in wild bee diversity over the last 50 years.

I have repeatedly been pressing the Government on the need to protect and enhance our natural resources and environmental diversity. Last year, I voted in support of an amendment to the Environment Bill (now Act) to ensure that pesticides could only be authorised if a competent authority is satisfied that there will be no negative effect on the health of honeybees or wild pollinator populations. However, due to the Government’s majority, this amendment was defeated.

I also wrote to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and I have recently received a response from the Minister for Farming, Fisheries and Food, Victoria Prentis MP. Click the link to read the response in full.