The Pest Management Regulatory Agency is accepting comments until December 12 on neonicotinoid pesiticides. Below is my submission on this issue. I encourage you to take a moment to send in your comments as well.
Dear Pest Management Regulatory Agency,
I’m writing to encourage you to implement a ban on the use of neonicotinoid pesticides until peer reviewed scientific research can definitively determine that neonicotinoids do not harm bees.
Adopting a precautionary approach to bee colony collapse is necessary since bees play an essential role in agricultural crop pollination and in maintaining bio-diversity. Without bees, we will not be able to feed ourselves and our food and farming economy is threatened.
Your organization’s own analysis shows that neonicotinoids have contributed to the decimation of bee populations in 2012 and 2013. Your suggested protective measures don’t go far enough.
In addition to a ban on neonicotinoid pesticides, I encourage the government of Canada to support research on the decline of bee populations. It is essential that we have a thorough understanding of what is causing the decline of bee populations.
We can’t afford to have our bees disappear because we didn’t take action soon enough. We also can’t afford the possible threats on other wildlife as the pesticides enter our land and water.
I join the call for a ban on neonicotinoids.
Regards,
Mike Schreiner
Leader, Green Party of Ontario
416-977-7476
PO Box 1132 Station F
Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
Photo credit: Kimberley Merrifield