Pesticides: Bees

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer Excerpts
Wednesday 13th March 2013

(11 years, 8 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord De Mauley Portrait Lord De Mauley
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That was suggested to me this morning and I pointed out that it might not be something the Government would want to call it. The noble Lord makes several very interesting points, most of which I have forgotten in the hilarity. I thank him for his points.

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer Portrait Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer
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My Lords, does the Minister agree that neonicotinoids are applied as a seed dressing and are therefore in the soil? One of the questions the Government need to look at under the precautionary principle is how long they last in the soil as they are lethal not only to bees but to many of the invertebrates that live in that soil.

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