EU announcement on bees and insecticides could be 'landmark'
Friends of the Earth press release
EU DECISION ON PESTICIDES DUE MONDAY – FRIENDS OF THE EARTH REACTION
The environment charity is urging the UK Government to heed the growing scientific concerns about the impact of three neonicotinoid insecticides on bee decline, and vote for EU restrictions today. The UK Government abstained last time the issue went to an EU vote in March this year.
Over recent months leading home and garden retailers, including B&Q, Homebase, Wyevale and Dobbies have removed products containing the three neonicotinoid insecticides from their shelves following a campaign by Friends of the Earth.
Friends of the Earth’s Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said:
“With bee populations in crisis and mounting scientific concern about the impact of neonicotinoid insecticides, no government can claim to be taking bee decline seriously unless it’s prepared to act on these chemicals.”
“Leading retailers have already taken action by removing these pesticides from their shelves and supply chains – the UK Government must act too.
“Pesticides aren’t the only threat bees face – that’s why David Cameron must urgently introduce a Bee action Plan.”
ENDS
Notes
1. Member States are due to vote (in the Appeal Committee) on a European Commission on Monday (29 April 2013) to restrict the use of neonicotinoid insecticides. The move follows a report by the European Food Safety Authority earlier this year linking three neonicotinoid insecticides to bee decline.
2. The European commission has outlined a number possible scenarios following the vote in the Appeal Committee:
• If a positive opinion is delivered, the Commission shall adopt the draft implementing act (like in the Standing Committee).
• If a “no opinion” is delivered, the Commission may adopt the draft implementing act. (Therefore up to the Commission to decide on the adoption).
• If a negative opinion is delivered, the Commission shall not adopt the draft implementing act.
3. Leading home and garden retailers have removed products containing the three neonicotinoid insecticides from their shelves following a campaign by Friends of the Earth’s Bee Cause campaign. Stores that have taken action include:
• B&Q (321 UK stores)
• Wilkinson (372)
• Homebase (340 in the UK and Ireland)
• Wickes (200+)
• The Garden Centre group (129)
• Dobbies garden centres (32)
• Klondyke garden centres (24)
• Notcutts garden centres (19)
• Scats garden centres (18)
• Squires garden centres (14)
• Blue Diamond garden centres (14)
• Hillier garden centres (13)
• The Garden Store garden centres (8)
4. Over 175 MPs from all parties as well as Waitrose, the Co-op, the Women’s Institute and tens of thousands of individuals have backed our call for a Bee Action Plan.
5. Friends of the Earth’s The Bee Cause campaign is supporting individuals to make change in their gardens and communities to help bees, and asking the Prime Minister to commit to a National Bee Action Plan. To support the call to David Cameron and find out what else you can do to help bees, visit The Bee Cause webpage www.foe.co.uk/bees.
6. For more than 40 years we’ve seen that the wellbeing of people and planet go hand in hand – and it’s been the inspiration for our campaigns. Together with thousands of people like you we’ve secured safer food and water, defended wildlife and natural habitats, championed the move to clean energy and acted to keep our climate stable. Be a Friend of the Earth – see things differently. For further information visit www.foe.co.uk.
