Category Archives: Neonicotinoids

Guest blog from Sandra Bell at Friends of the Earth: Govt considering scrapping ban on Neonicotinoids

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Miles King

I’m reblogging this post from Sandra Bell at Friends of the Earth. The NFU are trying to overturn the ban on neonicotinoids, and the regulatory group is considering their proposal today. 7 reasons why the Government must not allow bee-harming … Continue reading →

Posted in Friends of the Earth, Neonicotinoids, NFU | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Is exporting death good for the economy?

Posted on March 19, 2016 by Miles King

  We are told, repeatedly, that one of the main reasons why the UK should stay in the European Union, is because we have access to the single market. And this argument is being used in particular for agriculture. But … Continue reading →

Posted in agrochemicals, deregulation, EU referendum, European Commission, European environment policy, Neonicotinoids | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Ecosystem Services for whom?

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Miles King

Ecosystem Services – the idea that we benefit from goods and services provided for free by nature. To be frank, the phrase is ugly. It’s ugly language to use to describe so much beauty – Nature; the bringer of joy, … Continue reading →

Posted in bees, Dieter Helm, dogs, ecosystem services, Natural Capital, Neonicotinoids | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

O Rose thou art sick: on bees, flowers and pesticides

Posted on October 10, 2015 by Miles King

It was national poetry day on Thursday. After reading something today I thought of this poem which was in an anthology I had long ago: O Rose thou art sick. The invisible worm, That flies in the night In the … Continue reading →

Posted in bees, Neonicotinoids, poetry | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

NFU special pleading knows no bounds

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Miles King

NFU President Meurig Raymond’s image is front and centre of the new NFU 2014 manifesto. He appears to have popped up from a hole, perhaps arising from an underground chamber: is this is satirical take on NFU’s relationship with badgers? … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, deregulation, Neonicotinoids, NFU, regulatory reform | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Farewell Owen Paterson: your work here is done

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Miles King

And so the rumours have finally been confirmed, Owen Paterson has been asked to stow away his wellies for the last time and return to the back benches. It may seem incredible that Paterson only became Secretary of State against … Continue reading →

Posted in corporate lobbying, deregulation, GMOs, Matt Ridley, Neonicotinoids, NFU, Owen Paterson | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Gone to the Dogs

Posted on May 11, 2014 by Miles King

I grew up with dogs. We had a succession of Welsh collies. Kirsty was a family pet before I was born, but sadly died young. Meg accompanied me through childhood into teenage years – I will always remember going up … Continue reading →

Posted in agricultural pests, bees, dogs, ecosystem services, eutrophication, Neonicotinoids, Uncategorized, wolves | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

The Supergrass that betrays real Environmental Goods

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Miles King

I was intrigued by this headline in Farmers Weekly (where else?) – “£2.5M boost for grass that helps prevent floods“. What can it be? A panacea for all our flooding problems – is it superabsorbent? Is it a climate change … Continue reading →

Posted in agricultural pests, agriculture, ecosystem services, flooding, grasslands, Neonicotinoids, public goods, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments