Bee-harming pesticides escape European ban

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Guardian

Bee-harming pesticides escape European ban

European commission proposal to suspend the use of neonicotinoids fails to gain backing of UK and Germany

Damian Carrington
guardian.co.uk, Friday 15 March 2013 10.35 EDT

A European attempt to ban the world's most widely used insecticides that have been linked to serious harm in bees has failed.

The European commission proposed a two-year suspension of neonicotinoids after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) deemed their use an unacceptable risk, but major nations including UK and Germany failed to back the plan in a vote on Friday.

The result leaves environmental campaigners, scientists and some politicians bitterly disappointed. "Britain and Germany have caved in to the industry lobby and refused to ban bee-killing pesticides," said Iain Keith, at campaign group Avaaz. "Today's vote flies in the face of science and public opinion and maintains the disastrous chemical armageddon on bees, which are critical for the future of our food."

The chemical companies that dominate the billion-dollar neonicotinoid market, Bayer and Syngenta, were relieved. Syngenta chief operating officer, John Atkin, said: "We are pleased member states did not support the EC's shamefully political proposal. Restricting the use of this vital crop protection technology will do nothing to help improve bee health."



Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/mar/15/bee-harming-pesticides-escape-european-ban

[Buzz Clik]

1. This is highly ironic.

European countries have been quick to ban a variety of pesticides and GMOs because of their purported damage to bees despite any clear evidence supporting the ban. Now, the real causal agent for colony collapse has been clearly identified, and they have their thumbs up their butts.

An outright ban is not necessary, but taking a couple of years to figure it out would show great vision.

But, let's do nothing. Genius.

[sangsaran]

2. Were the pesticides and GMOs they banned supported by companies as big as Bayer?

If not, that's probably why.

[Buzz Clik]

3. Is Monsanto bigger than Bayer? I think so.

[Celefin]

4. Yeah, but Bayer is German

Hence the abstention by Germany. A ban on GM crops damages Monsanto, Bayer not so much.

The UK is just routinely against anything coming from the EU and/or targeted at big business.

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. Bayer is about 4 times the size of Monsanto

Monsanto: Revenue US$ 11.822 billion (FY 2011)

Bayer: Revenue €36.53 billion (2011) = about $47 billion

[Buzz Clik]

8. Thank you. I guess I simply bought into ...

... all the hysteria around here about Monsanto being a global monopoly.

[In_The_Wind]

5. That was a serious mistake!

[Trascoli]

6. bees will be the end of us