Local MP Joins Campaign to Save The Bee

Government considering application over pesticide use

The Ealing Southall Labour MP, Virendra Sharma MP has joined a growing list of MPs who are opposed to lifting the ban on pesticides that endanger bees.

The National Farmers Union applied to the Government and EU to use the neonicotinoids for this coming summer and autumn to protect its oil seed rape crops.

Use of three of those neonicotinoids were restricted by the EU after concerns about their effects on bees but permission can still be given in exceptional circumstances.

Bees are responsible for pollinating two thirds of the food we eat and conservationists and bee supporters say lifting the ban would spell disaster for the bee population. Campaigning website 38 Degrees is lobbying environment minister Liz Truss MP and other MPs not to give farmers permission.  Ministers are currently considering their application.

Virendra Sharma MP took the pledge to oppose the lifting of the ban at a Parliamentary event held this week, organised by Friends of the Earth.

MPs heard new evidence from scientists and from a Lincolnshire farmer who had stopped using these pesticides before the ban.

Speaking after the event, Virendra Sharma, said:

''The message is loud and clear from people in Ealing, Southall: keep the ban on bee harming pesticides. I have listened to their concerns and I’ll be making my opposition very clear in parliament to any plan to lift the ban.''

Sandra Bell, The Bee Cause campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

“Bees are essential for pollinating our crops - we can’t afford to gamble with their future. The Government must keep these dangerous pesticides out of our fields.”

11th May 2016