This in from the Conservative Isle of Wight MP, Andrew Turner.
On Monday, the Island’s MP, Andrew Turner attended a debate in Westminster Hall on neonicotinoids on crops.
During the debate he had the opportunity to raise the concern of declining bee populations, due to farmers’ lack of information of the least damaging times to use pesticides.
The Island’s MP said:
“I recognise that a lot of Islanders have concerns on the impacts that pesticides have on the environment and more specifically on bee populations. I received information from the chairman of the Isle of Wight Beekeepers’ Association, Dave Cassell, prior to the debate. I had to opportunity to pass along the Association’s plea that the Government should do more to inform farmers on the least damaging time of day to use pesticides in order to save bee colonies.
“George Eustice MP, The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, acknowledged my intervention and confirmed the importance of using pesticides during the evening. It is agreed that the evening or night-time is the least bad time to spray, because there is less wind and bees are less active during this time.
“Our environment is one of my key interests. Many pesticides are harmful to important insects. Farmers are the custodians of our countryside, they care passionately for the land and they should have all the information they need to use pesticides responsibly.
“I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to voice their concerns with me, and I especially want to thank Dave Cassell, chairman of the Isle of Wight Beekeepers’ Association, for his contribution.”
Image: anemoneprojectors under CC BY 2.0
