Neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics) — the most widely-used class of insecticides pushed by Big Ag — have been linked to massive losses of bees and other pollinators.
Neonics were developed by Bayer in the '80s as a "safer" alternative to existing pesticides. They're supposed to be minimally toxic to vertebrate animals and humans. Rather than being broadly sprayed over fields they can be applied directly to seeds or delivered via irrigation and incorporated into tissue as the plant develops — in theory minimizing their chances of spreading into the environment.
However, mounting evidence suggests just the opposite: Not only have they been massively killing our precious pollinators for decades, but recent studies also link neonic exposure with neurological damage and malformations in the developing heart and brain.
We must stop this toxic recklessness before it's too late. That's why we're taking on Big Ag and generating massive public pressure on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban bee-killing neonics. And we'll take it to the courts if it means protecting our pollinators, the future of our food, and the health of our communities and children.
At least half of the U.S. population is regularly exposed to neonics — with children 3-5 years old exposed to the toxic pesticide at higher concentrations than adults.
How is that possible? Neonics have been detected in many non-organic foods that are children's favorites, including 60% of cherries, 30% of strawberries and 30% of apples.
Neonics also run off of farm fields, lawns and gardens, and into local waterways and groundwater. Federal government research has detected neonics in over half of U.S. streams tested.
The EPA has had access to the growing body of evidence of the dangerous potential health impacts of neonics for years. But it has continuously kept its head in the sand — at the expense of our precious pollinators, wildlife and even human health.
It's time for the EPA to protect pollinators and people from these toxic pesticides and hold Big Ag accountable.
Wenonah Hauter
Founder and Executive Director
Food & Water Watch
Food & Water Watch and its affiliated organization, Food & Water Action, are advocacy groups with a common mission to protect our food, water and climate. This email was sent to [email protected] - and we're glad you got it, because it's one of the most important ways you can reclaim political power, hold elected officials accountable and resist corporate control.
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