Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what measures he is taking to ensure chemicals used in agriculture are not detrimental to the bee population.

All pesticides are subject to a stringent authorisation process before they can be placed on the market and used. At the centre of this process is an assessment by the Health and Safety Executive of scientific information on the risks that can arise from the use of these products. If the risks to people or to the environment are unacceptable, the pesticide is not authorised. Possible risks to bees are considered in this process.

Conditions are placed on the use of authorised pesticides to ensure the protection of people and the environment. These conditions may include maximum dose rates or restrictions on timing and place of application. Farmers and growers are required by law to take all reasonable precautions when using pesticides and to confine applications to the target area.