Thank you Ontario for saving the bees!

[polly7]

JUN 09 2015

The Ontario government is the first government in North America to restrict the use of neonics.

The bees are rejoicing! The flowers are breathing a sigh of relief. And the butterflies are feeling a little more carefree.

That’s because today, the Ontario government became the first government in North America to create regulations that will restrict the use of seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides (also known as ‘neonics’), which are toxic to bees, birds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Ontario recognized that something needed to be done, and quickly. Pollinators are critical to food security, but have been dying at a catastrophic rate around the world. Bees and other pollinators are responsible for pollinating crops worth $897 million annually, including many fruit, vegetables, and field crops. But in the winter of 2013-2014, bee deaths in Ontario reached 58 per cent – far above the generally accepted rate of 15 per cent.

Today’s announcement is not just a win for pollinators but also for science. Instead of being swayed by the chemical companies that manufacture the pesticides and their powerful lobbyists, the province chose the listen to strong scientific evidence and the people of Ontario. Roughly 97 per cent of the nearly 50,000 comments received during the public consultation period favoured government action. Thank you to the thousands of Environmental Defence supporters who took action.

Full article: http://environmentaldefence.ca/blog/thank-you-ontario-saving-bees


David Suzuki Foundation

It’s time to ban bee-killing pesticides

UPDATE: On July 1, 2015, the Ontario government will become the first government in North America to restrict the use of seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides. Ontario has proposed reducing use of neonics by 80 per cent by 2017. It is an encouraging step forward in the growing movement to save the bees. Please help keep the momentum going by demanding action from the federal government and other provinces.

There’s been a lot of buzz lately about bee-killing pesticides. Bees have been dying off at alarming rates, and neonicotinoid pesticides are implicated in this decline. Bees aren’t the only victims. “Neonic” pesticides may harm the human brain, nervous system and hormonal system.

In June, an international group of independent scientists released the results of a comprehensive analysis of 800 peer-reviewed studies on neonics — a massive, four-year undertaking. Their conclusion: “…there is clear evidence of harm sufficient to trigger regulatory action.” The assessment highlights serious risks, not only to bees, but to many other beneficial species, including butterflies, earthworms and birds.

Meanwhile, research indicates that neonics do not necessarily increase agricultural yields. So why are we still using them? Last year, Europe announced a moratorium on the use of three neonics on bee-attracting crops.

Full article: http://action2.davidsuzuki.org/neonics

[daleanime]

1. kick, kick, kick....

[Joe Shlabotnik]

2. Good news,

but I wonder how long it will take for Syngenta and Bayer to sue the Ontario government for loss of profits under NAFTA, or some similar mechanism.

[polly7]

3. Good point.

I have no idea anymore what protections our own gov'ts will have under these agreements. Hopefully logic will win out for something so important ... it's scary though.