Campaign and petition email responses

The use of Neonicotinoids and the Importance of Protecting Bees

Bees may be small creatures, but their contribution to nature and food production is significant with up to 3/4 of crop species are pollinated by bees and other pollinators. In other words, Bees are a symbol of a healthy environment

You may be aware that matters regarding the environment are the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament.

The SNP take the use of chemicals very seriously and our position on the use of neonicotinoids and other pesticides continues to be driven by science. In response to the evidence of their effect on the environment, the Scottish Government supported the EU decision in 2018 to restrict the outdoor use of three neonicotinoid insecticides.

On the 8th of January 2021, the UK Government announced that it had authorised a pesticide product containing one of these neonicotinoids for use on sugar beet seed in counties of Eastern England. This is extremely disappointing and emphasises the risk a Tory Brexit poses to Scotland's rural environment.

At present in Scotland there are significant restrictions in place regarding the use of neonicotinoids on plants which are attractive to bees. Although, rather unfortunately, in England neonicotinoids were approved for use. Their approval highlights the threat of Brexit to our environment.

The UK Government should stop regressing on environmental standards and protections and follow both the example of the Scottish Government and EU to follow the science.

During the course of the Environment Act 2021, then SNP COP and DEFRA Spokesperson Deidre Brock MP put forward the SNP’s calls for the UK Government to strengthen the bill, remarking, “When your neighbour keeps trying to set his house on fire, you want to help him to stop.” SNP MPs encouraged the UK Government to make the Environment Act stronger by following Scotland’s example in areas such as air pollution, outlawing harmful pesticides, and independent oversight of environmental protection.

Legal requirements as set out in the Environment Act 2021 to halt species loss by 2030 will be a hollow commitment by the UK Government if they do not step up and protect England’s nature environment and preserve biodiversity.

The Scottish Government follows the science on herbicides and pesticides in Scotland, and will continue to do so, however the Internal Market Act limits the ability of the Scottish Government to protect Scottish Consumers.

Please be assured that neonicotinoids are not authorised for use in Scotland. The SNP will continue to press against use of this pesticide and call on the Tory-run UK government to match EU environmental standards