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Dear John

You may have heard the recent good news that the new government has denied the use ([link removed]) of a neonicotinoid ([link removed]) insecticide, thiamethoxam, for growing sugar beet. Banned for use in agriculture in 2018, the previous UK government allowed its ‘emergency’ use four years in a row ignoring the advice of its own experts. There is clear and abundant evidence that this neonicotinoid is extremely toxic to bees and other pollinators and, after years of campaigning ([link removed]) , we are delighted to see progress in this area.

As quoted in the Guardian ([link removed]) in response to the decision, The Pesticide Collaboration (which we host) said: “This marks a turning point for our environment and our pollinators, who have been side-lined in this decision-making process for too long. We now call on the government to support sugar beet farmers in their transition to growing sugar beet without neonics, and for an end to repeat permissions for all banned pesticides to prevent further damage to our environment.”

While we celebrate our wins, there is plenty of work still to do. Although banned for use on crops, neonicotinoids are still widely found in pet tick and flea treatments ([link removed]) .

We have known for a while that these pet medicines are contaminating our rivers ([link removed]) and impacting aquatic life, but a recent study by the University of Sussex has also found a high prevalence in birds’ nests with potentially devastating impacts.
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** An eye on glyphosate
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With the UK licence for glyphosate (the most widely-used herbicide in the world) up for renewal at the end of this year, we turn our attention to two recent studies. The first is a study published by Scientific Reports showing that glyphosate-based herbicides significantly affect the early life stages of amphibians. The Brazilian Institute of the Environment found that concentrations of glyphosate that are permissible for human consumption in drinking water in Brazil were sufficient to impact the early life stages of the weeping frog. Hatchlings were smaller in size, had malformations in the mouth and intestines, and were less likely to flee from predators.
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Caption: Weeping frog, Physalaemusgracilis by Axel Kwet, CC BY-SA 2.5, [link removed]

A second study, published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation, has identified an association between glyphosate exposure and lasting effects on brain health. The study revealed an accumulation of aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) —a by product of glyphosate — in brain tissue, raising serious concerns about the chemical’s safety for humans.

The findings build on earlier work by the same researchers that demonstrates a link between glyphosate exposure and a heightened risk for neurodegenerative illnesses including Alzheimer’s disease.
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** Paraquat and Parkinson’s
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In a recent interview ([link removed]) with PAN UK’s Dr Sheila Willis, eminent Australian neurologist Dr David Blacker explains the urgent need for Australia to protect its farmers from exposure to the herbicide paraquat. Paraquat is so toxic that 70% of acute poisonings result in death ([link removed]) . With a ban already in place in 67 countries around the world, Dr Blacker expressed frustration that there has been 27 years of delay in Australia, meaning that a whole generation of farmers has already been unnecessarily put at risk. Action now could benefit many thousands of farmers in the future.

Note that paraquat is banned for use in the UK, but continues to be manufactured for export by Syngenta’s Huddersfield manufacturing facility.
WATCH INTERVIEW ([link removed])
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** Global study shows pesticides are a major contributor to the biodiversity crisis
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And finally, a study carried out by an international research team (including the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) and the University of Sussex) has found that pesticides are causing overwhelming negative effects on hundreds of species of microorganisms, plants, insects, fish, birds and mammals that they are not intended to harm.

Wide-ranging negative effects were seen for over 800 species found on land and in water, including impacts on how fast they grow, their reproductive success, and even behaviour such as their ability to catch prey, find plants to forage upon, move, or attract mates. Pesticides can also affect organisms’ metabolism and damage cells.

Professor Dave Goulson of the University of Sussex said: “It is often assumed that pesticides are toxic primarily to the target pest and closely related organisms, but this is clearly not true. Concerningly, we found pervasive negative impacts across plants, animals, fungi and microbes, threatening the integrity of ecosystems.”
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The fight for a healthier and more sustainable future continues. Thanks for being part of it.

In solidarity,

the team at PAN UK
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