Bees Given a Chance

On April 29 EU Agricultural Ministers voted in favor of a ban on neonicotinoid pesticides. Despite being scientifically proven to be harmful to bees, many Ministers did not support the ban during the first vote in March. The ban now approved by the European Union will put in place severe restrictions on their use, rather than an out right prohibition, for an initial two-year period – a first and massive step in the right direction to save our bees and ensure good food and good farming in Europe into the future.

Fifteen out of the 27 EU states voted for the initial two-year restriction on neonicotinoids. The ban applies to flowering crops that are attractive to bees and other pollinators, but doesn’t apply to winter cereals or “unattractive” crops.

Slow Food joined forces with Arc2020 and the European Beekeeping Coordination in the run up to this second (and decisive) vote, asking European citizens to contact their Agricultural Minister to encourage them to support the bees. And they did! A massive thank you to all those that took part!

For more information on the neonicotinoid pesticides and their impact on the bees and other pollinating insects, the environment and our food system, click here.

Download the report Why are neonicotinoids a threat to ecological health and safety of the European Union? by Slow Food and the European Beekeeping Cooperation