Today I took part in a Westminster debate on the UK Bee Population. In recent times, there has been increasing speculation on the harmful impacts of pesticides on bees, in particular neonicotinoids.

This summer has marked a significant shift in the UK Government’s understanding with the Environment Secretary Michael Gove, announcing his support on further restrictions to neonicotinoid pesticides. The growing weight in scientific evidence will underpin our future efforts to protect pollinators and bees.

Pollinators such as bees are estimated to be adding up to £600 million per year to the value of UK crops through increased yield and quality. Concern for the welfare of pollinators such as bees has proven to be a dominant trend in my constituency. As a bee keeper myself, I too share these concerns. The Government has said that unless the scientific evidence changes, the government will maintain these increased restrictions post-Brexit.

Scientific research is what will underpin our ability to protect our bees and continue to guide our efforts in countering other factors that are harming the pollinator population, these include: disease, habitat loss and climate change.

You can watch my speech here: https://goo.gl/kfpKZ1