Posted on by kevintelfer

My strange role in the death of neonicotinoids in the UK

My very first blog on my new website was an open letter to Michael Gove about neonicotinoids – the controversial family of pesticides that many scientists believe has been one of the primary causes of major reductions in insect and bird populations over the past fifteen years. I suggested that Mr Gove make a move to ban the use of neoniciotinoids.

I first published my blog on 6 November but didn’t get around to actually sending the letter to Michael Gove until 8 November. On 9 November there was a surprise announcement: Michael Gove backed a total ban on neonicotinoids.

I cannot take all the credit for this decision – after all many groups have been lobbying for the ban for some time and Greenpeace has collected more than 130,000 signature in the UK calling for it. But, at the same time, I couldn’t help but think that the timing very neatly coincided with my intervention.

The reaction from the environmental lobby has been almost universally positive. Green Party MP Caroline Lucas wrote:

Greenpeace UK tweeted:

But at the school gates that same afternoon I was talking to a friend of mine who suggested to me that the news might not be quite as positive as it at first seemed. If farmers are not using neonicotinoids, she said, then they would have to use something else and many of the alternatives are pretty horrendous as well. She also said that because the alternatives have lower efficacy then they will be used in greater quantities.

There was a similar theme in Hannah Lownsbrough’s piece in the Guardian, in which she called for Michael Gove to adopt ‘a bold stance when confronted with similar evidence about other dangerous pesticides.’

And this brilliantly demystifying document on the subject of pesticide use from the Soil Association makes the much more general point that ‘Regulation on pesticides is slowly improving but is still inadequate to fully protect the environment and human health.’

Nonetheless, I was encouraged not just by Michael Gove’s decision but for his justification in making it. He wrote that:

Environmental change on such a scale is profoundly worrying. Not least because of the critical role played by bees and other pollinators. These particular flying insects are absolutely critical to the health of the natural world. Without a healthy pollinator population we put the whole ecological balance of our world in danger.

It strikes me that someone who accepts this premiss is  not only going to make a good decision on neonicotinoids but should also support more adequate legislative regulation on pesticides in general. I hope I’m right.

 

14,574 Replies to “My strange role in the death of neonicotinoids in the UK”

  1. Residential Drug Treatment Programs http://aaa-rehab.com Alcohol Rehab Near Me http://aaa-rehab.com Alcohol Treatment Near Me
    http://aaa-rehab.com

  2. With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement?
    My blog has a lot of exclusive content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it
    looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over
    the internet without my permission. Do you know any solutions to
    help protect against content from being ripped off?
    I’d really appreciate it.

  3. Pingback: generic sildenafil
  4. Pingback: buy ed pills
  5. Pingback: erection pills
  6. Pingback: best ed pills at gnc
  7. Pingback: generic cialis online
  11. Pingback: canada online pharmacy
  12. Pingback: Get cialis

  18. Oh my goodness! Impressive article dude! Many thanks, However
    I am experiencing issues with your RSS. I don’t understand why I
    cannot subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting the same RSS issues?
    Anybody who knows the answer will you kindly respond?
    Thanks!!

  20. Pingback: buy hydroxychloroquine
  22. Pingback: levitra dosage

  25. Знаете ли вы?
    Свадьба английского рыцаря стала причиной войны между двумя могущественными родами.
    Китай реализует в Пакистане собственный План Маршалла.
    17 бойцов остановили под Старым Осколом более 500 оккупантов.
    Кустурица пропустил получение «Золотой ветви» в Каннах, так как любит друзей больше, чем церемонии награждения.
    Двое капитанов первого кругосветного плавания были казнены, следующего высадили на необитаемый остров.

    arbeca

  26. Знаете ли вы?
    Клирик-саксонец стать папой римским не захотел, а патриархом Севера не смог.
    Среди клиентов древнеримского афериста был император Марк Аврелий.
    Сын политика-пьяницы помог принять сухой закон в своей провинции.
    Залётная птаха занесена в перечень птиц России спустя более полувека после открытия вида.
    Кустурица пропустил получение «Золотой ветви» в Каннах, так как любит друзей больше, чем церемонии награждения.

    arbeca

  27. Pingback: cheap cialis usa without prescription

  32. Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the web the easiest thing to be
    aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about worries that
    they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the
    top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal.
    Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  33. Pingback: vardenafil 10mg
  35. Pingback: acetaminophen cost

  37. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though
    you relied on the video to make your point.
    You clearly know what youre talking about, why
    throw away your intelligence on just posting videos
    to your weblog when you could be giving us something informative to read?

  38. May I just say what a comfort to uncover an individual who truly knows what they’re
    discussing online. You actually realize how to bring a problem to light and make it
    important. More people have to check this out and understand this side of
    your story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular given that you certainly have the gift.

  39. Pingback: levitra generic
  40. Pingback: generic ventolin inhalers for sale
  42. Pingback: slot machines
  45. Pingback: online slots real money

  46. Thanks for your marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you could be
    a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will
    eventually come back from now on. I want to encourage you to continue your great
    writing, have a nice weekend!제주출장안마

  47. Pingback: viagra online canada
  50. Pingback: best real casino online

  51. Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful
    & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.

  53. Pingback: casino real money
  62. Pingback: tadalafil 10mg
  67. Pingback: cash advance
  68. Pingback: loans for bad credit
  73. Pingback: personal loan
  74. Pingback: viagra cost
  76. Pingback: best gambling sites
  78. Pingback: best real money online casinos
  79. Pingback: order viagra online
  80. Pingback: cialis 20
  81. Pingback: best real money online casinos
  85. Pingback: sugarhouse casino online
  86. Pingback: cialis generic
  87. Pingback: low cost canadian viagra

  88. Attractive section of content. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and in accession capital
    to say that I get in fact loved account your weblog posts.
    Any way I’ll be subscribing in your feeds and even I
    fulfillment you get admission to consistently quickly.

  89. Pingback: 20 cialis

  91. Simply desire to say your article is as amazing.
    The clarity for your put up is simply great and i can suppose you are
    knowledgeable on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to take hold of your RSS feed to keep updated with approaching post.
    Thanks 1,000,000 and please carry on the rewarding work.

  94. Pingback: cialis 5 mg

  97. Hey there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any trouble with hackers?

    My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing a few months of hard work due to no backup.
    Do you have any methods to stop hackers?

  99. Pingback: cialis generic
  101. Pingback: viagra canada
  103. Pingback: slot machine
  106. Pingback: online gambling

  108. Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone
    and tested to see if it can survive a twenty
    five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My
    apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to
    share it with someone!

  112. Pingback: vegas casino online
  116. Pingback: real online casino
  123. Pingback: viagra dosage

  125. Great weblog right here! Additionally your website rather a lot up very fast!
    What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink on your host?
    I desire my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  126. Thanks for the marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage you to continue your great work, have a nice day!

  127. Pingback: cheap generic viagra
  136. Pingback: brand viagra
  143. Pingback: generic viagra india
  162. Pingback: when to take viagra
  189. Pingback: viagra canada
  199. Pingback: cialis buy cialis online
  219. Pingback: cheap viagra online
  220. Pingback: generic ed pills
  223. Pingback: sildenafil
  226. Pingback: tadalafil cialis
  228. Pingback: buy viagra now
  232. Pingback: buy viagra no prescription

  234. which is more effective viagra or levitra
    cheap viagra generic viaonlinebuy.us viagra prescription
    a half of viagra in the morning and another half in the evening

  235. Pingback: cialis tadalafil

  236. I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative
    and interesting, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head.

    The issue is something that too few folks are speaking intelligently about.
    I am very happy I came across this in my search for something regarding this.

  243. how long does it take to get an erection with viagra
    what happens when you mix viagra and grapefruit juice
    what is the best compared to viagra

  247. Pingback: new ed pills

  252. Hi! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Wonderful blog and fantastic design.

  257. Pingback: cialis prices

  262. Hello there, I discovered your web site via Google while searching for a similar topic, your website got here up, it looks good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
    Hi there, simply became aware of your blog via Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels. I will appreciate if you happen to proceed this in future. A lot of folks shall be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  267. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appeal. I must say that you’ve done a very good job with this. Additionally, the blog loads very fast for me on Firefox. Exceptional Blog!

  274. Pingback: casino games online
  291. Pingback: free casino games
  299. Pingback: buy original viagra in pakistan
  329. Pingback: where to buy viagra in miami without presciption

  330. Howdy! This post could not be written much better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept preaching about this. I will send this article to him. Fairly certain he’ll have a good read. I appreciate you for sharing!

  336. Pingback: buy viagra online
  340. Pingback: cialis online cheap
  347. Pingback: can you buy viagra online legally uk

  358. Hi there, I do think your website may be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, wonderful site!

  369. when viagra doesnt work diabetes
    which supplemental medicare plan will approve viagra if medicare is primary
    can you use viagra when you are taking bystolic

  376. Excellent post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Thanks!

  414. O1HMhq The Birch of the Shadow I believe there may become a couple of duplicates, but an exceedingly handy listing! I have tweeted this. A lot of thanks for sharing!

  416. VmimnG It’а†s really a great and helpful piece of information. I’а†m glad that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

  419. XQ9MJw Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn at appear. Grrrr well I am not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say great blog!

  420. w20haW The Silent Shard This may most likely be very handy for a few of your work opportunities I intend to you should not only with my blogging site but

  423. BbTVQy Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Fantastic.

  428. Pingback: order cheap cialis

  441. I might also like to mention that most people who find themselves without the need of health insurance can be students, self-employed and people who are out of work. More than half from the uninsured are under the age of Thirty-five. They do not think they are wanting health insurance as they are young along with healthy. Its income is often spent on property, food, plus entertainment. Lots of people that do work either whole or in their free time are not given insurance through their work so they move without owing to the rising expense of health insurance in the United States. Thanks for the thoughts you share through this site.

  451. This page definitely has all of the information and facts I wanted about this subject and didn at know who to ask.

  453. Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you penning this article and also the rest of the website is really good.

  454. Pingback: Viagra 100mg purchase

  469. Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is great, let alone the content!

  473. You are my aspiration, I own few blogs and sometimes run out from brand . Truth springs from argument amongst friends. by David Hume.

  474. themselves, specifically considering the truth that you just may possibly have completed it if you ever decided. The pointers also served to supply an excellent approach to

  476. Pingback: Viagra 100 mg cost

  477. You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the subject and found most individuals will agree with your blog.

  478. It as not that I want to duplicate your web-site, but I really like the pattern. Could you tell me which style are you using? Or was it especially designed?

  483. Pingback: cheap sildenafil
  484. Pingback: where to buy Viagra 130 mg

  488. Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs We ave ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Great. I am also a specialist in this topic so I can understand your effort.

  489. I truly appreciate this article post.Thanks Again. Cool.

  500. Pingback: Viagra 50 mg australia
  510. Pingback: Viagra 150mg canada
  514. Pingback: Viagra 130 mg pharmacy
  526. Pingback: cost of Viagra 25mg
  528. Pingback: viagra sale
  535. Pingback: cialis dosage

  538. naturally like your web site however you have to test the
    spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and
    I to find it very troublesome to tell the reality however I will surely come back again.

    Look at my web blog http://www.dogsis.com

  568. This web site really has all the information and facts I wanted concerning this subject and didn at know who to ask.

  571. A person necessarily assist to make severely posts I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and up to now? I amazed with the analysis you made to make this particular publish amazing. Great job!

  573. Pingback: where can i buy Cialis 40mg
  601. Pingback: Cialis 80mg tablet

  604. Hey there are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you need any html coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

  610. Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too fantastic. I really like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a tremendous web site.

  614. Pingback: buy tadalafil online
  623. Pingback: viagra prescription
  635. Pingback: sildenafil
  641. Pingback: Cialis 40mg medication
  647. Pingback: Cialis 40 mg nz

  660. Very nice info and straight to the point. I don at know if this is truly the best place to ask but do you guys have any ideea where to hire some professional writers? Thx

  666. Pingback: cheap Cialis 40mg

  669. Very good information. Lucky me I discovered your blog by chance (stumbleupon). I have bookmarked it for later!

  670. I think this is a real great blog article.Really looking forward to read more. Great.

  672. Informative and precise Its difficult to find informative and accurate information but here I noted

  678. Pingback: viagra for sale
  684. Pingback: where can i buy Cialis 10mg
  693. Pingback: cost of Cialis 40 mg
  707. Pingback: sildenafil 25mg online pharmacy
  712. Pingback: viagra for sale

  717. As well, the favourable exchange rate, and inexpensive food and accommodation may even enable
    you to include multiple yet vastly different countries in your neighborhood at reasonable cost.
    There are numerous organised tours which may combine coffee plantations and horseback riding too however, for independent travellers, buses leave daily from San Jose; and Puntarenas.
    Pest – As with anything, you will possess uninvited guest, just about the most famous is the squirrel.

  720. Pingback: tadalafil 80 mg usa

  729. IaаАа’б‚Т€ТšаЂаŒаАа’б‚Т€ТžаБТžll complain that you have copied materials from a different source

  733. Nice blog here! Also your web site loads up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  739. viagra insurance coverage blue cross
    how to make natural viagra with immediate effect pdf
    which of the following is accurate regarding sildenafil (viagra)?

  741. Pingback: cheap levitra 20 mg
  751. Pingback: buy generic drugs without prescription
  757. Pingback: lasix 40mg online pharmacy

  763. This is really interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I ave joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your fantastic post. Also, I ave shared your web site in my social networks!

  768. Pingback: furosemide 40 mg united kingdom
  774. Pingback: propecia 5mg otc
  781. Pingback: buy viagra online
  790. Pingback: buy viagra online
  795. Pingback: lexapro 20 mg pharmacy
  809. Pingback: medicine without dr prescription
  814. Pingback: viagra cost

  816. Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article. Thank you for supplying this information.

  817. I have been surfing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  818. navigate to this website How come my computer does not register the other computers in the network?

  826. Pingback: abilify 20 mg without a prescription
  841. Pingback: actos 30mg cheap

  849. If you are ready to watch comical videos online then I suggest you to pay a visit this web page, it includes in fact so humorous not only movies but also additional data.

  853. Pingback: aldactone 25 mg without a prescription

  854. I think other web-site proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and excellent user friendly style and design, let alone the content. You are an expert in this topic!

  857. What as up to all, I am also in fact keen of learning PHP programming, however I am new one, I forever used to examine content related to Personal home page programming.

  862. Pingback: viagra sans ordonnance en pharmacie
  882. Pingback: allegra 120mg cheap

  885. Very nice post and straight to the point. I am not sure if this is actually the best place to ask but do you guys have any thoughts on where to hire some professional writers? Thank you

  887. Wow! Thank you! I continually wanted to write on my site something like that. Can I take a part of your post to my blog?