EU votes for a permanent ban on bee-harming pesticides

The European Union has voted for a permanent ban on pesticides that are harmful to bees.

Campaigners call it a ‘tremendous victory’ for the environment, while pesticide company Bayer calls it a sad day for Europe and its farmers.

Fruit and vegetable crops are pollinated by bees and other insects, but modern farming techniques have been blamed for a steady decline in their numbers.

 

Al Jazeera’s Neave Barker reports.