DEFRA responds
Further to your letters in Have your say ( March issue), in response to our story ‘Brexit means bee-exit?’ ( Clippings, February issue), we’ve now heard back from DEFRA, which has provided the following statement: “The Government makes decisions on pesticides based on science. The use of ‘neonicotinoids’ is restricted and we are committed to ensuring pesticides are available only when the scientific evidence shows they do not pose unacceptable risks to the environment.” I am fortunate to have an old cob barn in my garden, which has ivy growing up one side. In late autumn and winter, it provides food and shelter to birds, and hibernation crevices for insects. It gets a light trim in early spring, when I also clear the guttering and check the nesting boxes. A wren often tucks a nest into a natural pocket and a blackbird nests on a ledge. When it’s warm enough, solitary bees emerge, and mining bees leave a tell-tale dusting of cob. In late summer, the whole wall hums with wasps, solitary bees and honey bees. What’s not to like? Clare Penney, Devon