Duke in pesticide row
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE controversy over the use of pesticides has been revived after it emerged that the Duke of Edinburgh has been pressing the Government for seven years to explain why it authorises the use of organo-phosphates, writes Mark Rowe.
The duke's concern about pesticides getting into the food chain was sparked by the discovery of 16 dead pheasants on the royal estate at Sandringham in 1991. Tests showed they had been poisoned after eating newly sown wheat treated with organo-phosphates. As a result, Prince Philip and the estate have pressed the Government to explain why it has sanctioned the use of the chemicals.
Buckingham Palace spokesman David Tuck said the dukewas "not just worried about the pheasants, but more about the impact these substances have on wildlife in general".
Organo-phosphates are used widely in crop sprays and sheep dips, as well as in flea collars and head-lice shampoos. However, there has been growing concern over their effect on the health of both wildlife and humans.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments