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Syngenta has withdrawn an ‘emergency’ application to allow a bee-harming pesticide,banned by the EU, to be used on British crops.
The news follows campaigning earlier this week asking ministers to stand up to intense lobbying from the pesticide industry, led by The Bee Coalition, a collection of organisations including Friends of the Earth, Buglife, the Pesticide Action Network UK, the Soil Association and the Environmental Justice Foundation.
The pesticide in question was one of three neonicotinoids given a two-year EU ban last year after a review of all of the scientific research linked them to damaging bee health, despite opposition from the UK Government.
Friends of the Earth’s Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton commented: “Our under-threat bees can breathe a bit easier this evening. We’re delighted Syngenta has withdrawn this application – the scientific evidence linking neonicotinoid pesticides to bee decline is stacking up.
“Ministers are currently finalising their action plan for protecting Britain’s bees. The National Pollinator Strategy must get tough on all the causes of bee decline – including pesticides.”
STORY updated 4/7/14
Picture credit: © Damomz | Dreamstime Stock Photos
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