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UK government to be over ruled by EU on pesticides

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  • UK government to be over ruled by EU on pesticides

    BBC News - Bee deaths: EU to ban neonicotinoid pesticides

    Look like the EU has its uses.

  • #2
    that is really good news.

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    • #3
      Its just for 2 years though - but its a good start

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      • #4
        Thank goodness.
        Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better...Albert Einstein

        Blog - @Twotheridge: For The Record - Sowing and Growing with a Virgin Veg Grower: Spring Has Now Sprung...Boing! http://vvgsowingandgrowing2012.blogs....html?spref=tw

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        • #5
          Now we need some better weather.

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          • #6
            Good on Europe for getting it through, but BAD on UK for voting against it despite all the lobbying.

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            • #7
              Some of those comments on the news article are shocking .

              Still, at least we've 2 years - perhaps more people will take up bee keeping - due to the exposure. I'd love to, if I had the space!

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              • #8
                These chemicals are bad, but does anyone know what farmers will use instead, and whether the replacements will be worse. Will they simply go back to what they were using before? Do we have any farmers on here who can comment? Genuine question as I don't know enough about the subject, but am concerned about the drop in bee numbers.
                Are y'oroight booy?

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by chris View Post
                  Some of those comments on the news article are shocking .

                  Still, at least we've 2 years - perhaps more people will take up bee keeping - due to the exposure. I'd love to, if I had the space!
                  I would too Chris but unfortunately I am allergic to bee stings and each sting is cumulatively worse than the last one .

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Vince G View Post
                    These chemicals are bad, but does anyone know what farmers will use instead, and whether the replacements will be worse. Will they simply go back to what they were using before? Do we have any farmers on here who can comment? Genuine question as I don't know enough about the subject, but am concerned about the drop in bee numbers.
                    The latest press release from The British Bee Keepers Association ..........

                    29 April 2013
                    Further statement re EU vote on neonicotinoids
                    Following today’s EU vote whereby a two year ban is to be imposed on the use of the
                    neonicotinoid group of pesticides, the BBKA continues to have serious concerns about the
                    consequences of the ban and awaits with interest sight of the details relating to the
                    imposition of the ban and the UK Government’s response.
                    The BBKA reiterates its call to the Government to get on and carry out the necessary
                    research to establish the true effect of neonicotinoid pesticides. The requirement for an
                    impact assessment of the alternative agents that farmers will now be obliged to use is even
                    more urgent. It is absolutely vital that a full evaluation of the older products now likely to
                    be employed in crop protection and their stewardship is undertaken in an attempt to
                    minimise damage to bee populations
                    ... shares your concerns Vince


                    BBKA press releases can be found here ..... Press Releases and Statements - British Beekeepers Association (BBKA)
                    He who smiles in the face of adversity,has already decided who to blame

                    Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

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                    • #11
                      Is there any hard evidence that this chemical is what is the cause of the drop in bee population? Or is it a suspect?

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Vince G View Post
                        These chemicals are bad, but does anyone know what farmers will use instead
                        Polycultures, crop rotation, volunteer labour from CSA co-owners, kvik up, ...

                        Originally posted by Vince G View Post
                        Will they simply go back to what they were using before?
                        How long before? This so called "conventional" farming is completely misnamed. For ~13,000 years, we've been farming without human-made chemicals, and for about 70 years with, and the Soil Association was basically started before it became widespread, because it was so apparent that it was a lousy idea.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Vince G View Post
                          These chemicals are bad, but does anyone know what farmers will use instead, and whether the replacements will be worse. Will they simply go back to what they were using before? Do we have any farmers on here who can comment? Genuine question as I don't know enough about the subject, but am concerned about the drop in bee numbers.
                          This was being discussed on the radio, yesterday. The chap was saying that the farmers will just go back to what they were using previously, and that they were just as harmful to Bees...

                          A hollow victory, really.
                          All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
                          Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by ugley_matt View Post
                            Is there any hard evidence that this chemical is what is the cause of the drop in bee population? Or is it a suspect?

                            The major causes of bee losses are:

                            1. varroa mite: introduced in UK around 1993. Most untreated colonies weaken and dies from viruses introduced through mites sucking bee blood (like malaria). As a result most wild bee colonies have died out and many old style beekeepers gave up.. Beekeeping went from a "leave and collect honey " style to a managed one.
                            2. Monoculture, farming deserts and loss of habitat : see hedgerows and wooden decking in gardens and draining land to build houses.
                            3. Climate variability . See 2012 which was bad for bees and the following winter which was even worse.

                            Neonicotinoids do kill bees if improperly applied. Apart from the environmental fascists , most UK beekeepers on Oil Seed Rape - which is treated with insecticide - see zero or minimal effect. Hence the BBKA not being keen on a ban.

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                            • #15
                              Yep ^^, did you see the BBC documentary Who Killed The Honey Bee? last November ? if not or you want a memory jog .............




                              From that I ask myself other than the lack of Varroa Mite what else do they do differently in Australia,are Neonicotinoids already banned there ?
                              He who smiles in the face of adversity,has already decided who to blame

                              Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

                              Comment

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