The long-awaited research on neonicotinoids
Neonicotinoids harm honey bees and wild bees, according to a new study. Charlotte Smith hears from those who dispute its findings, including the companies that paid for it.
Neonicotinoids harm honey bees and wild bees according to a new study. Charlotte Smith hears from those who dispute its findings, including the companies that paid for it. "Neonics", as they're known, are controversial pesticides and concerns over their effects on pollinators - in particular bees - led in 2013 to a ban on using neonics on flowering crops across Europe.
Professor Richard Pywell who led the study explains how and why the results vary. Dr Peter Campbell from Syngenta, which is one of the companies that funded the work, is asked whether he wishes they hadn't bothered. There's also the perspective of Michael Gove, and Guy Smith, Vice President of the National Farmers' Union and Matt Shardlow, Chief Executive of Buglife discuss their varying interpretations of the results and what it means for bees and for farmers.
Producer: Toby Field.
Last on
Broadcast
- Fri 30 Jun 2017 05:45麻豆社 Radio 4
Farming Tomorrow: Another Country with James Rebanks
A document of the lives of rural workers in and around three English villages.
Farming Tomorrow: AI on the Farm
Charlotte Smith explores how artificial intelligence is transforming agriculture.
Farming Tomorrow: The Briefing Room asks How will climate change affect our farms?
Will we still be able to grow enough food as temperatures rise and rain patterns change?
Farming Tomorrow: Kiri's Farm
A stand-up comedian, a vegan and a farmer walk into a bar.
Podcast
-
![]()
Farming Today
The latest news about food, farming and the countryside
