Bee deaths: EU to ban neonicotinoid pesticides
Source: BBC
A vote in the EU has paved the way for the European Commission to restrict the use of pesticides linked to bee deaths in scientific studies.
...
Neonicotinoid chemicals in pesticides are believed to harm bees and the European Commission says they should be restricted to crops not attractive to bees and other pollinators.
But many farmers and crop experts argue that there is insufficient data.
Fifteen countries voted in favour of a ban - not enough to form a qualified majority. According to EU rules the Commission will now impose a two-year restriction on neonicotinoids.
Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22335520
An explanation of the voting:
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The vote by the 27 member states of the European Union to suspend the insect nerve agents was supported by most nations, but did not reach the required majority under EU voting rules. However, the hung vote hands the final decision to the European commission (EC) who will implement the ban. "It's done," said an EC source, indicating that a formal announcement on the ban is expected within weeks.
The EC argued that EFSA has provided "a strong, substantive and scientific case for the suspension", which it said was proportionate to the risk. Three neonicotinoids will be banned from use for two years on flowering crops such as corn, oil seed rape and sunflowers, upon which bees feed.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/apr/29/bee-harming-pesticides-banned-europe
marble falls
(56,353 posts)Scalded Nun
(1,231 posts)Imagine, erring on the side that does NOT represent the 'Corporation', but on the side of nature.
Quite a concept. We could use that here.
dmosh42
(2,217 posts)dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)I'd duplicated this in error but now mine is locked.