Public concern mounts over decision to allow emergency use of banned neonic
In just a few days, more than 26,000 people have signed The Wildlife Trusts’ petition urging the Prime Minister to overturn the authorisation for the emergency use of a bee-killing pesticide, thiamethoxam. Additionally, 645 Members of Parliament have been contacted by petitioners as public concern mounts over the threat to bees, wildflowers, river wildlife and the impact on soils.
Thiamethoxam is a neonicotinoid that is known to kill bees, but has been authorised for farmers to use on sugar beet crops in England this year. It was banned across the EU in 2018 because of the widespread harm it causes although some exemptions have been allowed.
The Secretary of State, George Eustice, made the decision on 8th January in response to the problems caused by beet yellows virus to farmers growing sugar beet – despite a similar application being refused in 2018 by the UK Expert Committee on Pesticides because of “unacceptable environmental risks.”
More on:
Posted On: 20/01/2021