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1771 Pollinators and Pesticides<br />
6 JUNE 2013 Pollinators and Pesticides 1772<br />
that the evidential basis for the decision is weak because<br />
we do not have evidence from field trials. If the evidence<br />
suggests that laboratory results are replicated in field<br />
conditions, we will want to take a decision, because we<br />
want to protect our pollinator populations. That is<br />
important.<br />
I have very little time left because the hon. Member<br />
for Stoke-on-Trent North needs to respond to the debate.<br />
She asked three questions, including one on the<br />
precautionary principle. I hope I have explained our<br />
approach on that. She asked about the research and the<br />
difference between laboratory and field studies, and<br />
about the EU directive on the sustainable use of pesticides,<br />
which I believe the Government will implement in full.<br />
More work needs to be done on pesticides across the<br />
board. It is a misrepresentation to say that the wicked<br />
seed companies are pulling the wool over the eyes of the<br />
rest of the world. We need transparency of evidence<br />
so we know exactly what is happening during the<br />
regulatory process and beyond. We are speaking to<br />
those companies to ensure that they provide the greatest<br />
possible transparency.<br />
The hon. Lady asked what changed between the<br />
abstention and the decision to vote no. The answer is<br />
that we pressed and pressed again on the need to<br />
commission the evidence that we believe would have<br />
given a sound basis for the decision, but we did not<br />
secure agreement. That is why we are in the position we<br />
are in.<br />
The Government are determined to do everything we<br />
can to protect our bees and pollinators. They are essential<br />
not only to our economy, but to our environment and<br />
our ecology. We will take all necessary steps to do so.<br />
4.58 pm<br />
Joan Walley: This has been a useful debate. I thank<br />
all hon. Members who have spoken, including the<br />
hon. Member for Stroud (Neil Carmichael), and my<br />
hon. Friends the Members for Gower (Martin Caton),<br />
for Southampton, Test (Dr Whitehead), for Llanelli<br />
(Nia Griffith), for Glasgow South (Mr Harris) and for<br />
Bristol East (Kerry McCarthy). The Environmental<br />
Audit Committee will consider what we can do to<br />
support my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol East in<br />
her efforts to make Bristol the capital of green cities. We<br />
have had the Friends of the Earth breakfast. In view of<br />
our debate, the question is whether, at quarter to 3 or<br />
two minutes to 5, t<strong>here</strong> is honey still for tea.<br />
The Committee has sought to produce a timely and<br />
considered report. We intend our recommendations<br />
to be part of an ongoing process of parliamentary<br />
scrutiny. It might be in our interests that the Government<br />
response will be delayed, just as the integrated pest<br />
management report was delayed—it might be in our<br />
interests if the delay means we will get a more informed<br />
response, and if the Committee will have greater engagement<br />
on how such multifaceted issues can be developed.<br />
The breathing space of the moratorium we have as a<br />
result of the European Commission might help to take<br />
the debate forward, and we would welcome a fully<br />
informed response from the Government. However, we<br />
do not want the Government simply to dismiss the<br />
Committee’s work, and we do not want the lack of<br />
targets and everything else in the integrated pest control<br />
plan to continue. The Committee is a team and this<br />
has been a team effort. We want to engage with the<br />
Government on how we can ensure, working with farmers<br />
and business, and all those people in the British<br />
countryside—<br />
5pm<br />
Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 9(3)).