Pesticides: Neonicotinoids Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate

Pesticides: Neonicotinoids

Viscount Ridley Excerpts
Wednesday 17th June 2015

(9 years, 5 months ago)

Lords Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text
Lord Gardiner of Kimble Portrait Lord Gardiner of Kimble
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, the background to and reason for the restrictions on the three neonicotinoids is precisely because of the risk assessment that was made about bees. Obviously the EU, after two years, is bringing together all the scientific evidence available so that the issue can be looked at in a thorough manner.

Viscount Ridley Portrait Viscount Ridley (Con)
- Hansard - -

My Lords, can my noble friend confirm that since neonicotinoids were introduced honey-bee numbers have gone up, not down?

Lord Gardiner of Kimble Portrait Lord Gardiner of Kimble
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My Lords, I do not have the exact figures. While neonicotinoids are extremely effective in dealing with plants, they are considered much more toxic to insects than to humans and mammals. This is why the decision was made and the UK decided to go along with it, and why it is now being reviewed.