If we don't have bees, then foods we love will slowly disappear. Scientists point to pesticides as one of the factors behind the bee die-off, in particular a class of bee-killing pesticides known as neonicotinoids. Join us in calling on the EPA to take action. Add your name:
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Friend,
Imagine a world where your morning coffee went from being a morning ritual to a weekly one -- and eventually a monthly one. Or one where the berries you use in your breakfast cease to exist.
If we don't have bees, then many of the foods we love will slowly disappear. Scientists point to pesticides as one of the factors behind the bee die-off, in particular a class of bee-killing pesticides known as neonicotinoids (neonics for short).[1]
PIRG is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect bees and our food by banning the worst uses of neonicotinoid pesticides. Join us in taking action.
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Neonics are the most popular kind of insecticide used in the U.S., used liberally on our yards, gardens and parks every year. In fact, 46 million pounds of these chemicals are sprayed on plants across the country every year.[2,3]
Part of what makes neonics so deadly is how they're used. Neonics are often applied to the plant seed and to the soil surrounding it, making the entirety of the plant lethal to bees looking to pollinate it as it grows.[4]
What's more, when neonics end up in soil, the pesticide can stay actively toxic for years and travel far and wide to other plants through rain water and irrigation systems. In 2013, when neonics were sprayed on a nearby corn farm, a local bee farmer tallied the death of 37 million bees.[5,6]
Tell the EPA: Ban the worst uses of neonics to save our bees and our food supply.
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So what does this mean for humans? Well if there are fewer bees around to pollinate some of the most essential crops, our food supply will face serious consequences. And it won't just be the fruits, vegetables, nuts and cereal crops we rely on for sustenance -- bees also pollinate the alfalfa we feed dairy cows, for example, so if our pollinators die off, dairy products could subsequently become less available as well.[7]
When safer alternatives exist, there's no reason for us to continue to put bees and our food supply at risk.
At PIRG, we're working to ban the sale of bee-killing pesticides for use in our homes, parks and gardens in 21 states around the country. And we're working with local governments to ensure that these bee-killing pesticides are not used on any public property.[8]
If enough states take action, we will eliminate the use of more than 40% of insecticides used in this country.[9]
Will you join us in calling on the EPA to take action and ban the worst uses of bee-killing pesticides?
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Thank you for all you do,
Faye Park
President
1. "Ban bee-killing pesticides," U.S. PIRG, last accessed June 28, 2022.
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2. Thomas James Wood, David Goulson, "The environmental risks of neonicotinoid pesticides: a review of evidence post 2013," Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, June 7, 2017.
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3. "Ban bee-killing pesticides," U.S. PIRG, last accessed June 28, 2022.
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4. Thomas James Wood, David Goulson, "The environmental risks of neonicotinoid pesticides: a review of evidence post 2013," Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, June 7, 2017.
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5. J,-M. Bonmatin et. al, "Environmental fate and exposure; neonicotinoids and fipronil," Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, August 7, 2014.
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6. "Ban bee-killing pesticides," U.S. PIRG, last accessed June 28, 2022.
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7. "Ban bee-killing pesticides," U.S. PIRG, last accessed June 28, 2022.
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8. "Ban bee-killing pesticides," U.S. PIRG, last accessed June 28, 2022.
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9. "Ban bee-killing pesticides," U.S. PIRG, last accessed June 28, 2022.
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