NEONICOTINOID PESTICIDES AND POLLINATING INSECTS

That this House welcomes the decision of Professor Robert Watson, Chief Scientific Advisor at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to initiatea review of all the scientific research relating to bee and other pollinator decline and the use of neonicotinoidpesticides; believes the evidence that this group of insecticides debilitates a range of invertebrates to the extent that they are susceptible to lethal infections is convincing; recognises that, as neonicotinoids are systemic pesticides that are carried throughout plants to which they are applied, including pollen and nectar, they pose a particular threat to pollinating insects; urges the Governments therefore, to withdraw all licences for neonicotinoid pesticide use on plants producing nectar and pollen pending the conclusion of Professor Watson's review.