TY - JOUR
T1 - The precautionary principle at work
T2 - The case of neonicotinoids and the health of bees
AU - Patterson, Alan
AU - McLean, Craig
PY - 2019/6/1
Y1 - 2019/6/1
N2 - In recent years, scientists have noted a decline in the health of bee populations. Whereas a whole host of possible causes have been identified, it is the use of pesticides in agriculture—specifically the use of neonicotinoids—that has warranted some investigation. The scientific evidence of their impact on the health of bees remains debated. This article examines how the UK Government has responded to the decline in bee populations and the apparent link to neonicotinoids. While notionally committed to deploying the Precautionary Principle in such instances, the government has tended to err more on ‘sound science’ as a policymaking tool. Early evidence indicates that the government used the latter initially but has become more amenable to utilising a precautionary approach recently. Whether this can be attributed to an embrace of the Precautionary Principle, or simply a change caused by the installation of a new Secretary of State for the Environment, is open to interpretation.
AB - In recent years, scientists have noted a decline in the health of bee populations. Whereas a whole host of possible causes have been identified, it is the use of pesticides in agriculture—specifically the use of neonicotinoids—that has warranted some investigation. The scientific evidence of their impact on the health of bees remains debated. This article examines how the UK Government has responded to the decline in bee populations and the apparent link to neonicotinoids. While notionally committed to deploying the Precautionary Principle in such instances, the government has tended to err more on ‘sound science’ as a policymaking tool. Early evidence indicates that the government used the latter initially but has become more amenable to utilising a precautionary approach recently. Whether this can be attributed to an embrace of the Precautionary Principle, or simply a change caused by the installation of a new Secretary of State for the Environment, is open to interpretation.
KW - Bee health
KW - Government regulation
KW - Precautionary principle
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85072395319&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/scipol/scy072
DO - 10.1093/scipol/scy072
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85072395319
SN - 0302-3427
VL - 46
SP - 441
EP - 449
JO - Science and Public Policy
JF - Science and Public Policy
IS - 3
ER -