On Wednesday, Defra granted approval for an NFU application to use heavily restricted neonicotinoid seed treatments on 5 percent of the UK oilseed rape crop later this year. The decision was mired in controversy, however, as government advisors who turned down the first application said they had been gagged before approval was granted one week after the NFU submitted its second, more targeted, bid.

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Ref: Douglas, M. R., Rohr, J. R., Tooker, J. F. (2015): Neonicotinoid insecticide travels through a soil food chain, disrupting biological control of non-target pests and decreasing soya bean yield. Journal of Applied Ecology, 52: 250–260.doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.12372