The Neonicotinoid View: Alyn Smith Discusses The EU Vote

After the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) deemed the use of neonicotinoids to be an unacceptable risk, the European Commission proposed a two year ban across the continent, on the use of three neonicotinoids (Imidacloprid, Clothidanidin and Thiamethoxam) from use on corn, oil seed rape, apples, carrots, strawberries and many other flowering crops in order to further assess the environmental impact. Last Friday, March 15, 2013, there was a vote by the European Commission and the ban failed to pass by the majority. Although key countries such as Germany and the UK failed to back the plan, environmentalists, beekeepers and scientists are hopeful because there is a great chance that it can pass by the appeals committee.

As we continue our special series called “The Neonicotinoid View”, host, June Stoyer and guest co-host, Tom Theobald, will be joined by Mr. Alyn Smith, who is a Member of the European Parliament. Mr. Smith is also a member of the European Parliament's Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. We will be discussing his position on neonicotinoids as well as the situation with the proposed ban.

Later on in the show, environmentalist and beekeeper, Graham White who has been campaigning against neonicotinoids will explain the recent developments in Europe with the proposed ban. Stay tuned!