Pesticides: Bees

Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall Excerpts

Wednesday 13th March 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord De Mauley]

Yes, my Lords, and indeed persistence in soil is one of the tests that is considered.

[Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall]

My Lords, going back to the question from the noble Baroness, Lady Parminter, does the noble Lord agree that among the many things that are important in preserving and developing the health and safety of bees is the increase in domestic beekeeping and encouraging people who have gardens to garden with an eye to what is good for bees? Do the Government have any plans to encourage people in either of those areas?

[Lord De Mauley]

I am very happy to say that I do encourage people. When we had the debate the other day I said to the noble Lord, Lord Stevenson, who was leading for the Opposition, that I was sorely tempted, when I finished doing my current job, to become a beekeeper myself. The proposed national bee action plan could well be the sort of forum one needs to get a ground swell of opinion behind such an idea.