Dear Friends,
Multiple scientific studies blame one group of toxic pesticides for
their rapid demise, and bee populations are recovering in countries
where these products have been ! banned. But powerful chemical
companies are lobbying hard to keep selling these poisons. Our best
chance to save bees now is to push the US and EU to join the ban --
their action is critical and will have a ripple effect on the rest
of the world.
We have no time to lose -- the debate is raging about what to do.
This is not just about saving bees, this is about survival. Let’s
build a giant global buzz calling for the EU and US to outlaw these
killer chemicals and save our bees and our food. Sign the emergency
petition now, and send it on to everyone and we’ll deliver it to key
decision makers:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/97.php?cl_tta_sign=1d69401574a723be1aea8a8567366ada
Bees are vital to life on earth -- every year pollinating plants and
crops with an estimated $40bn value, over one third of the food
supply in many countries. Without imme! diate action to save bees
many of our favourite fruits, vegetables, and nuts could vanish from
our shelves.
Recent years have seen a steep and disturbing global decline in bee
populations -- some bee species are already extinct and last week we
learned that some US species are at just 4% of their previous
numbers. Scientists have been scrambling for answers. Some studies
claim the decline may be due to a combination of factors including
disease, habitat loss and toxic chemicals. But increasingly
independent research has produced strong evidence blaming
neonicotinoid pesticides. France, Italy, Slovenia and even Germany,
where the main manufacturer Bayer is based, have banned one of these
bee killers. But, Bayer continues to export its poison across the
world
This issue is now coming to the boil as major new studies have
confirmed the scale of this problem. If we can get European and US
decision-makers to take action, others will follow. It won’t be
easy. A leaked document shows that the US Environmental Protection
Agency knew about the pesticide’s dangers, but ignored them. The
document says Bayer’s "highly toxic" product is a "major risk
concern to non target insects [honey bees]".
We need to make our voices heard to counter Bayer’s very strong
influence on policy makers and scientists in both the US and the EU
where they fund the studies and sit on policy bodies. The real
experts -- the beekeepers and farmers -- want these deadly
pesticides prohibited until and unless we have solid, independent
studies that show they are safe. Let's support them now. Sign the
petition below, then forward this letter:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/97.php?cl_tta_sign=1d69401574a723be1aea8a8567366ada
We can no longer leave our delicate food chain in the hands of
research run by the chemical companies and the regulators that are
in their pockets. Banning this pesticide will move us closer to a
world safe for ourselves and the other species we care about and
depend on.
With hope,
Alex, Alice, Iain, David and all at Avaaz
MORE INFORMATION
Bee decline could be down to chemical cocktail interfering with
brains
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/22/chemicals-bees-decline-major-study?INTCMP=SRCH
Bee briefing
http://www.soilassociation.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=RXLEm9WXrHk%3D&tabid=439
$15 Billion Bee Murder Mystery Deepens
http://www.businessinsider.com/colony-collapse-disorder-still-unsolved-lead-researcher-had-connections-to-bayer-2010-10
“Nicotine Bees" Population Restored With Neonicotinoids Ban
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/nicotine-bees-population-restored-with-neonicotinoids-ban.php
EPA memo reveals concern that pesticide causes bee deaths
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/green/detail?entry_id=79910
Beekeepers want government to pull pesticide
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/beekeepers-want-government-to-pull-pesticide-1107701.html
Bees in freefall as study shows sharp US decline
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/jan/03/bumblebees-study-us-decline?INTCMP=SRCH
Pesticide industry involvement in EU risk assessment puts
survival of bees at stake
http://www.corporateeurope.org/agribusiness/news/2010/11/16/pesticide-industry-future-bees
