The European Commission is poised to propose a game-changing law to protect bees and other pollinators. The new ban on bee-killing pesticides would go far beyond current protections, banning three deadly neonics from fields all across Europe.
But these crucial bee-protecting laws aren’t guaranteed to become reality. A small group of politicians is trying to block them before EU member states even get to vote on the regulations.
Meanwhile, a scathing new UN report called the idea that we need neonics to feed ourselves a “myth” perpetuated by “unethical” corporations like Bayer and Syngenta that have millions in profits riding on continued reliance on bee-killing pesticides.
Let’s use this momentum to call on government leaders around the world to ban bee-killing neonic pesticides now.
It's becoming more and more clear that neonics are unnecessary and, what's more, they pose an unacceptable risk to pollinators. And this is where we come in -- a global outcry could convince decision-makers in Europe and around the globe to stay strong and protect the bees, even in the face of intense lobbying from multinational pesticide companies.
Five years ago, a global neonic ban might have sounded like wishful thinking. But thanks to mass consumer advocacy and undeniable scientific consensus, we’ve never been closer to ridding the world of neonic pesticides.
Canada is considering a national ban on one of the chemical industry’s most popular neonicotinoids. France has vowed to institute a total ban by 2018. It’s time we put some real pressure on world governments to follow suit and keep our bees, our food -- and our bodies safe.
There’s no time to waste: we know that neonic use is a key driver of bee colony collapse, and bird and butterfly numbers are plummeting too. For too long corporate giants like Bayer and Syngenta have pressured governments to allow pesticide use to push bee populations to the brink. But their narrative is crumbling under consumer pressure and scientific research. Together we can deal a final blow to their bee-killing agenda.
Join our call for a global ban on bee-killing neonics now.
More information
The Guardian. 23 March 2017.
The Independent. 11 January 0217.