Persberichten

AA
Bees need a real and urgent protection against pesticides

Commenting on the proposals of the European Commission to suspend 3 neonicotinoid insecticides (imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin) Green-MEP Bart Staes commented :

"We applaud the Regulatory actions proposed by DG Sanco as a first and fast response to the three reports on the toxicity risk to bees of the neonicotinoid insecticides that were published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 16th January 2013."

EFSA’s report was followed by a report on 23 January from the European Environment Agency on the precautionary principle[1], in which imidacloprid is said to “particularly fit to the precautionary principle”. The report explains the failures of the European and national risk assessment and monitoring systems that have permitted neonicotinoids to harm bees for a long period."

"Europe's politicians should prioritise saving the bees rather than listening to the short-term interests of the pesticide industry. A complete ban of all neonicotinoids is the least we can do to stop the collapse of our bee colonies."
The Greens urge the member states to take up their responsability and listen to their citizens, beekeepers and environmental organisations.

A recent petition of Avaaz gathered in less than two weeks more than 2,2 million signatures of citizens calling indeed for "an immediate ban".

Nearly 90 MEP's from the Green-EFA group, EPP, S&D, ALDE, GUE and ECR as well addressed a letter to Commissioner Borg to fully apply the precautionary principle and totally ban the use of neonicotnoid insecticides in the European Union and to make sure that none of the bee species is any longer affected by the use of imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin.

[1] see part B Section 16

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