Petition Against Pesticides.

SailorSam

Are there any keen gardeners that would like to sign a petition to get pesticides banned.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/hours_to_save_the_bees/?bZZgbdb&v=21422

skyline

Signed. Lets hope they do the sensible thing. Our government's inaction on this is downright disgusting.

Edit: the petition is for a ban on neonicitinoid pesticides which have been strongly linked to the sharp decline in the bee population..

LilDevil66

I will sign this. I'm all for organic gardening and helping the bee population which I'm hoping I can do with my garden this year.

Leif

LilDevil66 wrote: »

I'm all for organic gardening and helping the bee population which I'm hoping I can do with my garden this year.

If UK agriculture went organic, ordinary people would not be able to afford to buy UK products, and imports would sky rocket. Having higher standard for farming in the UK already means we are undercut by cheap meats from outside Europe. I am not against those standards, but it is not fair on UK farmers.

I wanted to go mainly organic, but last year the choice was to use slug pellets, or have zero produce.

Davesnave

It isn't "a petition against pesticides," it's targeting just one. That's fine, but don't be so naive as to think that another wouldn't be substituted if this was withdrawn.

As far as I know, DEFRA is still consulting on this particular pesticide and will act on the results of that consultation, not a petition. Farmers themselves have nothing to gain by harming bees.

As Leif says, the bulk of food grown in the UK and EU is not organic and probably never will be. That makes an excellent reason for people to grow their own (and plant plenty of bee-friendly flowers.)