In a month where we could really use some good news, we found it: Canada is this close to a full-on ban of imidacloprid, one of the most widely used bee-killing pesticides in the world.
A risk assessment report by Health Canada concludes that continued use of imidacloprid is “not sustainable” and proposes phasing out the neonicotinoid in 3-5 years. We know that this pesticide is deadly to bees and the industry’s own studies show that it’s at least partly responsible for the epidemic of colony collapse across North America and the world.
The Canadian government is going to make its final decision on a complete ban soon -- and already, Bayer, the agro-chemical giant who invented the bee-killing poison, has promised to fight back. Banning this dangerous pesticide now is a major step in saving the bees globally -- and we need to make sure voices of reason drown out voices of the corporate lobby.
Will you sign the petition to Health Canada now to save the bees?
Our global campaign to save the bees is working. The EU ban on bee-killing neonics is entering its fourth year. And the French government recently announced it's going to completely ban neonics.
Meanwhile, in Canada, two major Canadian cities have already voted to ban neonicotinoids, the largest Canadian province, Ontario, has banned 3 neonics, and the province of Quebec is considering stricter regulations. A Canada-wide ban has never been on the table before. We need to seize this opportunity while we can.
If you sign the petition now, we'll deliver them directly to Health Minister Jane Philpott, who has promised to make a “science-based decision." We intend to hold her to that promise -- particularly given the pesticide industry's plans to fight back.
Sign the petition to Canadian Health Minister Philpott now. Let’s save the bees in Canada.
More information
Health Canada plans to phase out controversial pesticide
The Globe and Mail. 23 November 2016.
The Globe and Mail. 23 November 2016.
Health Canada proposes ban of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticide
CBC News. 23 November 2016.
CBC News. 23 November 2016.