Flowering plants sold at B&Q will be free from pesticides linked to decline of bees

ALL FLOWERING plants sold by B&Q will be grown free from pesticides linked to bee declines as part of efforts to help wildlife, the retailer has announced.

B&Q has banned suppliers from using any of the nine “neonicotinoid” pesticides in growing its flowering plant range available from next February.

The retailer says it is the first to commit to ensuring none of the pesticides are used in the cultivation of flowering plants. It follows its ban, ahead of legislation, of the sale of pest control products containing the three neonicotinoids most linked to bee declines.

Research suggests neonicotinoids damage bees’ ability to forage and navigate as well as colony growth, and three key pesticides were banned by the EU in 2013 for use on crops attractive to honeybees and in consumer products.

B&Q’s announcement comes as it launches a new report on “The Nature of Gardens”, which reveals that two thirds of people (64%) are concerned about wildlife in the UK.

People think less space for wildlife in the countryside and in gardens, pesticides, roads, and agricultural development, as well as invasive species, are among the major wildlife.

Almost two thirds (63%) of more than 2,000 adults polled by YouGov for the report believe there are benefits for people from bringing wildlife into the garden.

B&Q has drawn up a list of 10 top tips for bringing nature into people’s gardens, such as putting up bird feeders, using fewer garden chemicals, planting nectarrich blooms, creating “hedgehog highways” and planting more shrubs, trees and flowers.

Rachel Bradley, B&Q’s sustainability manager, said the tips were “easy and affordable” and threats facing UK could make a real difference to wildlife.

She added: “As part of our commitment to supporting Britain’s wildlife, in 2013 we reviewed the use of neonicotinoids in our garden chemical products.”

Friends of the Earth bee campaigner Nick Rau said B&Q’s commitment to ban the pesticides was “fantastic news”, and urged other garden centres and retailers to follow suit. “The horticulture industry should stop using these pesticides as soon as possible – and label any plants containing restricted neonicotinoids until this is achieved.”