Dear John
2021 got off to a bad start for bees when the UK government granted an exemption to the ban on neonicotinoid pesticides, allowing sugar beet farmers to temporarily use seeds treated with bee-harming thiamethoxam [1].
But together we've leapt to nature's defence. Tens of thousands of you have signed our petition to reduce pesticide use in our countryside. And our fundraising appeal got off to a good start in January.
Nature still needs more support though. We want to keep campaigning to cut out dangerous pesticides. And we need to help communities across the country to protect nature across the UK. So if you can, please chip in to protect nature today.
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You can take a look at my original email below for more information.
Best wishes,
Sandra
Nature Campaigner
NOTES:
[1] Why the government is wrong to allow banned neonics on our fields: Friends of the Earth.
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Dear John
Pesticides have been linked to the harm of many animals, from hedgehogs to bees and birds. But their use is on the rise. And last week the government authorised the use of a bee-harming neonicotinoid pesticide [1].
We urgently need to reverse this dangerous trend. And right now, we have an opportunity to do so.
The department for the environment (Defra) is formulating a new Pesticides Action Plan. This could change the future of farming – and set us on course to reduce the pesticides in our countryside.
But if the government ignores scientists and nature-friendly farmers – and instead listens to the powerful agri-business lobby like it did last week – pesticide use may continue to grow and grow.
Friends of the Earth is here to stand up for nature. We want to secure an ambitious target to reduce the use of pesticides in the government’s new Pesticides Action Plan. And we want to support our community groups across the country in being friends to nature too – from looking after local bees to keeping rivers clean.
But we can’t do it without you. So can you chip in with a donation to power our campaign and communities to tackle the ecological emergency – including turning the tide on pesticides?
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Some pesticide residues remain in soils, rivers, and plant matter for years.
But incredibly, the effects of their widespread and prolonged use on wildlife, habitats and the food chain are not routinely tested. And the cocktail effect of different chemicals used in combination is poorly monitored.
With so little understanding of the true scale of their impact – but plenty of indicators that they’re harming wildlife – we urgently need to curb the use of pesticides.
Back in 2018, hundreds of thousands of you made history by helping secure a ban on 3 bee-harming neonicotinoid pesticides. But with one of these chemicals now temporarily authorised and overall pesticide use growing, we urgently need to stand up for nature again to secure a target to reduce the use of harmful pesticides.
So if you’re able to, please chip in to help.
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Thanks for reading, and I hope you’re doing okay during this difficult start to 2021.
Best wishes,
Sandra
Nature Campaigner
NOTES:
[1] The neonicotinoid thiamethoxam has been sanctioned for temporary use on sugar beet in England.:The Guardian.
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