Written Evidence Nov. 14 2023
Inquiry: Insect decline and UK food securityFound: INS0046 - Insect decline and UK food security Buglife Written Evidence
Mentions:
1: Selaine Saxby (Con - North Devon) Hedges are also home to precious pollinators, without which we would all go hungry. - Speech Link
2: Sarah Dyke (LD - Somerton and Frome) have spoken before about the importance of cider in my part of Somerset, and one of the best pollinators - Speech Link
3: Rebecca Pow (Con - Taunton Deane) pollinators to shelter and hibernate in; and of course they sequester carbon. - Speech Link
Apr. 03 2024
Source Page: Bee Health Improvement Partnership: annual report 2022 to 2023Found: to help maintain the health and wellbeing of honey bees .
Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what account her Department took when authorising the use of the neonicotinoid Cruiser SB in (a) 2021 and (b) 2022 of research on the effects of neonicotinoids on (i) bees and (ii) other pollinators.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The EU withdrew approval for the outdoor use of three neonicotinoid pesticides (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) on any crops, including crops such as sugar beet which are harvested prior to flowering, due to the risk of harmful effects on pollinators, in December 2018.
The UK supported this move, and this has not changed. The restrictions on neonicotinoids were justified by the growing weight of scientific evidence that they are harmful to bees and other pollinators. This restriction remains in place.
In considering the applications for use of Cruiser SB on sugar beet in 2021 and 2022, a range of evidence was considered on the impacts of the proposed use of the product on people, pollinators, and the environment. Information on these decisions can be found here.
Report Mar. 07 2024
Committee: Science, Innovation and Technology CommitteeFound: Second Report - Insect decline and UK food security HC 326 Report
Mentions:
1: Baroness Walmsley (LD - Life peer) The challenge is to control the one without damaging the other or, indeed, insect pollinators and our - Speech Link
2: Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Lab - Life peer) the use of fungicides.The noble Baroness, Lady Walmsley, talked about the importance of protecting pollinators - Speech Link
Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made a recent assessment of the implications for her policies of the effects of neonicotinoid pesticides on pollinators.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The EU withdrew approval for the outdoor use of three neonicotinoid pesticides (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) on any crops, including crops such as sugar beet which are harvested prior to flowering, due to the risk of harmful effects on pollinators, in December 2018.
The UK supported this move, and this has not changed. The restrictions on neonicotinoids were justified by the growing weight of scientific evidence that they are harmful to bees and other pollinators. This restriction remains in place.
In considering the applications for use of Cruiser SB on sugar beet in 2021 and 2022, a range of evidence was considered on the impacts of the proposed use of the product on people, pollinators, and the environment. Information on these decisions can be found here.
Mentions:
1: Rebecca Pow (Con - Taunton Deane) Hedgerows are brilliant for our pollinators as habitats, and provide food for them from the flowers within - Speech Link
2: Emma Hardy (Lab - Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle) As we have heard, they serve as habitats for a huge array of wildlife, including bats, birds and bees - Speech Link
3: Rebecca Pow (Con - Taunton Deane) That was heavily debated and assessed, and that is the reason for it. - Speech Link
Jan. 11 2024
Source Page: Bee Health Improvement Partnership minutes: December 2023Found: in Scotland and whether there was a need for fresh ideas and opinions from new members.
Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment her Department has made of the (a) environmental and (b) ecological effects of the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The EU withdrew approval for the outdoor use of three neonicotinoid pesticides (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) on any crops, including crops such as sugar beet which are harvested prior to flowering, due to the risk of harmful effects on pollinators, in December 2018.
The UK supported this move, and this has not changed. The restrictions on neonicotinoids were justified by the growing weight of scientific evidence that they are harmful to bees and other pollinators. This restriction remains in place.
In considering the applications for use of Cruiser SB on sugar beet in 2021 and 2022, a range of evidence was considered on the impacts of the proposed use of the product on people, pollinators, and the environment. Information on these decisions can be found here.