The Scottish Wildlife Trust has welcomed the decision by the European Union to protect pollinators by banning the use of neonicotinoid insecticides on outdoor crops.
Jonny Hughes, Chief Executive, Scottish Wildlife Trust said: “This is very positive news for bumblebees and other wild pollinators, and something the Trust and others have been calling for since 2012.
“While it has taken a very long time to get to this point we are pleased that the overwhelming scientific evidence showing the harm caused by these chemicals, including a comprehensive assessment of more than 1,500 studies, has finally led to a ban on their use on crops.
“It is vital that protection for Scotland’s environment is not in any way weakened after Brexit and we hope that the Scottish Government will demonstrate its commitment to protecting pollinators by showing its support for these restrictions.
“Agriculture has to work with, rather than against, nature and we need to question our dependency on chemicals. An increasing focus on Integrated Pest Management will enable farmers to grow healthy crops while cutting the use of harmful pesticides. This will also be essential in ensuring that farmers can continue to benefit from crop pollination provided by insects, a service that is worth an estimated £43m to the Scottish economy each year.”