Local MP welcomes bee-killing pesticide ban
Local MP, Alex Mayer, has welcomed plans to fully ban bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides, calling it a “good day for nature.”
The end of year announcement from the Government says it will “legally prevent the future use” of toxic pesticides clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam.
Despite theoretically being banned from general use in the UK, the last Conservative government authorised the use of neonicotinoids every single year for the last four years.
Just one teaspoon of neonicotinoid can kill 1.25 billion bees. 85% of rivers have deadly neonicotinoid pesticides present.
Bees and other pollinators are worth £500 million annually to the UK economy.
In recent years many bee species have suffered severe declines, with at least nine species of bumblebee becoming extinct in Bedfordshire since World War Two.
Ms Mayer recently met Friends of the Earth at Linslade Garden of Remembrance to find out more about their Keep the Buzz in Leighton Buzzard campaign. Through clever planting the gardens are managed to provide an environment that is beneficial to bees with at least two pollinator-friendly plants in flower throughout as much of the year as possible.
Alex Mayer MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Woods and Trees said:
“This is a positive step from the Government for our pollinator pals. Bees are the unsung heroes of the economy contributing hundreds of millions of pounds each year through natural pollination. Now national laws will back local action. By banning these harmful pesticides once and for all, we can safeguard our wildlife, food supply and ensure a healthy environment for future generations.”