Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary Sue Hayman has written an open letter Defra secretary Michel Gove to clarify the government’s position on neonicotinoid pesticides.

It comes as news that a Conservative MEP failed to stop a complete EU ban on neonicotinoid pesticides.

In her open letter to Mr Gove, Sue Hayman said the Conservative party were attempting to ‘frustrate’ the process of banning neonicotinoids. The letter states that Conservative policy is unclear.

It stated that Labour are ‘concerned by the apparent Conservative Party position’ on neonicotinoids.

Miss Hayman noted that Mr Gove has previously stated that he would not seek to weaken European environmental regulations.

She said: “You have previously provided public assurance that a Conservative government would not seek to dilute EU environmental protections, however, actions by your colleagues in the European Parliament this week appear to contradict your promises.”