Many people in my constituency have been back in touch with me recently with concerns over the protection of bees and current European ban on neonicotinoids.

Whilst the European Commission is expected to complete its assessment on this issue by November 2017, I’d like to re-affirm my views on this very important issue (stated here).

Draft proposals for a full ban on the three most commonly used neonicotinoid pesticides could be voted on by EU member states as early as May 2017.

This June Conservative MEP, Julie Girling, attempted to block the full ban on neonictinoids – though thankfully, this was rejected by the European Parliament’s environment committee.

I will continue to follow this issue closely and anticipate a full ban is indeed enacted.