ALTHOUGH pesticides can increase food production and crop yields, they can also have a devastating effect on bee populations. For example, in early May 2008 half a billion bees were killed in Western Germany by the introduction of a neo-nicotinoid pesticide. In the UK, the honey bee population is now no longer large enough to pollinate our staple crops.

Is this madness? Yes without doubt. If most pesticides are toxic to bees, then it is pointless to continue using them. Truly, the only solution seems to be a large-scale shift to organic farming methods.

Aled Jones, Bridlington