Bees, bees, bees, bees, bees, bees, bees

[Phattaff]

Ok here goes.
After what we hope (council as of yet have not confirmed Tricky has got his plot back) is a great victor for the little people and does show what we as a community can do, a few people mentioned if there was any other causes we could put our collective might behind, well i like many of you may know that there is a real problem with our bee population and it's rapid decline, various reasons have been given but i have read recently that it could be caused by a number of insect-killing sprays known as neonicotinoids which are widely used in this country but have been banned by four other european countries because THEY ARE THOUGHT TO BE KILLING BEES, the Soil Association has written to Hilary Benn the Secretary of State for the Enviroment asking for these sprays to be banned with immediate effect.
Now i'm no eco warrior but i do think we could get behind something like this and maybe make a difference. I really wouldn't know where to start but do you good people out there think this is worth our time and effort or should i just shut up and go and dig up some of me potatoes.
P.S. Just so you know i don't keep bees and can't eat honey (to much sugar for me).
All the best Phattaff

[smallblueplanet]

There are certainly a few on here who keep bees, but also just lots who like bees...

A group of insect-killing sprays known as neonicotinoids that are widely used in UK farming have now been banned in four other European countries because they are thought to be killing bees. Italy has just joined Germany, Slovenia and France in banning the sprays

....Since their introduction by Bayer CropScience in the USA in 2003, these neonicotinoid sprays have been linked to the devastating loss of millions of honey bees in a number of countries. Germany banned the pesticides after beekeepers in the Baden-Wurttenberg region reported that two thirds of their bees died in May following the application of clothianidin. In 1995 bee keepers in North Dakota took Bayer to court when a third of their bees were killed by imacloprid. In France, a third of the honey bee population was killed after widespread use of imidacloprid

Soil Association Press Release - neonicotinoids

Pesticides: Germany bans chemicals linked to honeybee devastation | Environment | guardian.co.uk

[Alice]

Thank you for highlighting the issue Phattaff and for the link to the Soil Association SBP.
I certainly think it's a cause worthy of your time and effort Phattaff. You could start with a letter to Hilary Benn.

[BrideXIII]

its pretty easy to start an online petition to the government too

Introduction to e-petitions | Number10.gov.uk

couldn't tell you how much notice will be taken, and as they only run for 28 days ( i think its 28) its wise to rally support before you start the petition so everyone is aware there is going to be one and can get people ready to sign.

[Glutton4...]

I blow up like a balloon (Yes, even bigger) if I get stung by anything. However, I do appreciate all the work those little stripey blighters do pollinating everything - what would be do without them - and I just Luuuuurve Honey.

It's a great idea - perhaps someone should contact Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Jamie Oliver et al...

[smallblueplanet]

its pretty easy to start an online petition to the government too

Introduction to e-petitions | Number10.gov.uk

couldn't tell you how much notice will be taken...

Great of you to offer BrideXIII, I'll sign it!

[BrideXIII]

Great of you to offer BrideXIII, I'll sign it!

well someone has to start it first lol.
i suggest the OP sees how many people are interested first, then its easy to just create one and post the link.

[Phattaff]

Honey Bees Petition

Just a quick up date.
I have asked for a petition about this issue to be started on the No 10 website, as soon as i get a reply and an address i will post it on here. for all those how would like to sign it.
Cheers
All the best Phattaff

[Nicos]

Excellent idea!

[smallblueplanet]

Good one! Now we've all got to think of people we can send the petition to when its set up.

[BrideXIII]

once it is set up, it gets looked at by No 10 supposedly, however, if you all contact your local mp's asking them to bring the matter up with the DoE, then a question may get asked in the house. also contact local allotment assc.'s get them to sign, and anyone and everyone you can think of that grows stuff, local farmers etc, smallholders, pick your own places.

[Two_Sheds]

contact your local mp's asking them to bring the matter up with the DoE

yes, much more effective than signing a petition. WriteToThem - Email or fax your Councillor, MP, MEP, MSP or Welsh, NI, London Assembly Member for free

[smallblueplanet]

That's a great link 2-sheds, it finds the name & contact details for you. Then it has a form to use to write to your MP or local Councillor, it does the hard work for you! But I've never written to an MP before what should I put?

[SlugLobber]

Those Downing Street petitions are a waste of time. All you get is some standard fob-off reply, which is sent to every email address registered in the petition.

There was a news-article (or was it on Countryfile??) on this the other week, with farmers arguing against it, saying that the cost of fruit and veg would more than double and those on lower incomes couldn't afford that. I wonder, then, if the NFU has looked at how the ban was introduced in other EU countries and what replacements were used?

[smallblueplanet]

Those Downing Street petitions are a waste of time. All you get is some standard fob-off reply, which is sent to every email address registered in the petition...

Better than doing nothing, and some note is taken of them even so.