Environment secretary's letter to Syngenta on insecticide ban proposals
In a letter released to the Observer under freedom of information rules, Owen Paterson told the chemicals company Syngenta last week that he was 'extremely disappointed'by the European commission's proposed ban. He said that 'the UK has been very active' in opposing it and 'our efforts will continue and intensify in the coming days'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/interactive/2013/apr/29/environment-secretary-letter-syngenta-insecticide-ban
Fortunately his efforts were a fail because the 2 year moratorium includes UK use despite the fact the UK voted against it.
Environment secretary aka complete ****
See :
Europe will enforce the world's first continent-wide ban on widely used insecticides linked to serious harm in bees, after a European commission vote on Monday.
The landmark suspension is a victory for millions of environment campaigners concerned about dramatic declines in bees who were backed by experts at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). But it is a serious defeat for the chemical companies who make billions a year from the products and also UK ministers, who both argued that the ban will harm food production.
"Today's pesticide ban throws Europe's bees a vital lifeline, following a massive campaign backed by 2.6 million people," said Iain Keith, at Avaaz. "Europe is taking science seriously and must now put the full ban in place, to give bees the breathing space they need."
The vote by the 27 member states of the European Union to suspend the insect nerve agents was supported by most nations, but did not reach the required majority under EU voting rules. However, the hung vote hands the final decision to the European commission (EC) who will implement the ban. "It's done," said an EC source, indicating that a formal announcement on the ban is expected within weeks.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/apr/29/bee-harming-pesticides-banned-europe
