Environmental Laboratory
Soil Association slams government's pesticide decision
Apr 15 2009
Research conducted on neonecotinoids, which Slovenia, Germany, France and Italy have already banned, has indicated in the past that the immune and neurological systems of honey bees are damaged by the pesticide.
However, the UK secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs has rejected calls for the pesticide to be banned in Britain - a decision the Soil Association disapproves of.
Policy director of the association Peter Melchett stated: "While new funding and new research are welcome, it will not help if the Government ignores existing scientific evidence that has led other countries to ban chemicals known to kill bees."
A statement from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that there is no solid evidence as yet that neonecotinoids have contributed to the recent decline in bee numbers.
In January, the Soil Association wrote to Hilary Benn urging him not to oppose EU legislation aiming to decrease the use of pesticides in the UK agriculture industry.
Digital Edition
AET 28.2 April/May 2024
May 2024
Business News - Teledyne Marine expands with the acquisition of Valeport - Signal partners with gas analysis experts in Korea Air Monitoring - Continuous Fine Particulate Emission Monitor...
View all digital editions
Events
Jul 10 2024 Birmingham, UK
Jul 21 2024 Cape Town, South Africa
Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo
Jul 24 2024 Sydney, Australia
Jul 30 2024 Jakarta, Indonesia
China Energy Summit & Exhibition
Jul 31 2024 Beijing, China