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48 Hours Left to Ban Bee Killers

by MoneyMagnetMagnate
9 replies
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Quietly, globally, billions of bees are dying, threatening our crops and food. But in 48 hours the European Union could move to ban the most poisonous pesticides, and pave the way to a global ban that would save bees from extinction.

Avaaz - 48 hours to ban bee killers
  • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
    i always hoped the eu would be useful for even one little thing, maybe now
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    These guys helped me with the feedback for my site
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Thanks for this. Don't know how much good this will do for the US, but we have to start somewhere.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author waterotter
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Thanks for this. Don't know how much good this will do for the US, but we have to start somewhere.
      I signed and shared it on FaceBook with a caption asking others to sign and if the European Union passes this, maybe other countries will follow suit.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeff Williams
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Thanks for this. Don't know how much good this will do for the US, but we have to start somewhere.
      True. I doubt the vast majority of the public understands how much bee colony collapse disorder could affect ... well, life as we know it. Loss of over 1/3 of the world's food supply would be catastrophic at so many levels. So, I definitely agree we need to start somewhere.

      For anyone who wants to know a little more on the subject, I'd recommend a quick read of Annie Spiegelman's article here:

      Annie Spiegelman: Bee Deviled: Scientists No Longer Bumbling Over Cause Of Colony Collapse Disorder

      At the time, she was promoting PANNA's petition drive:

      EPA, stop stalling & protect bees!

      PANNA is the Pesticide Action Network, North America. And although the petition drive ended on September 25th, there are still many ways to get involved.

      Here are a few things PANNA suggests:

      What You Can Do | Pesticide Action Network

      Also, you can keep an eye on their Action Center for the latest news and efforts across the country:

      Action Center | Pesticide Action Network

      Truth is, this isn't one of those problems that takes decades to solve. We can stop spraying almost immediately if enough heat is brought to bear on our representatives and the laws get changed.

      Convincing large billion-dollar companies to quit killing the food chain voluntarily takes much longer ...
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      • Profile picture of the author AprilCT
        I'd love to see the bees come back again. I only saw a few last summer and it sure is a worry with all the very worthwhile work these little bees perform.

        What I do also worry about are the African killer bees or whatever they are called that are so aggressive that have invaded. Now those we need to get rid of.
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        • Profile picture of the author seasoned
          Originally Posted by AprilCT View Post

          I'd love to see the bees come back again. I only saw a few last summer and it sure is a worry with all the very worthwhile work these little bees perform.

          What I do also worry about are the African killer bees or whatever they are called that are so aggressive that have invaded. Now those we need to get rid of.
          The African Killer bees are likely all dead now. The problem NOW is the Africanized bees. The difference is that an AKB mates with a EHB and you get an AB. The AB queens kill the EHB queens, and take over the hives.

          Since the african traits mean that they are bigger, stronger, and hatch sooner, it will be hard to find a way to breed out the traits. It may be one reason why the european honey bees are disappearing.

          Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Honeybees are being killed by Roundup - Monsanto. That was proven by an independent research company who was bought out and silenced as soon as they publicized their findings. They were bought out by...wait for it.................................Monsanto.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Honeybees are being killed by Roundup - Monsanto. That was proven by an independent research company who was bought out and silenced as soon as they publicized their findings. They were bought out by...wait for it.................................Monsanto.
      They're also being killed by africanized bees. I did say ONE reason.

      As for monsanto, stories like this start to make one thnk they ARE ETs of some sort. What creature would INTENTIONALLY destroy it's planet? GRANTED humans in general do, but it is usually a small part here and there and would be OK if there weren't so many.

      I still haven't started on my little project, but there are FIVE parts that I am not crazy about, like two types of bacteria. In a perfect world, I would get rid of them. But they are needed to keep a balance with the fish and plants. Knowing THAT, how much more important might the bees be, knowing that they do so much good.

      As for roundup, I typically buy very little, and haven't bought, or used it, in YEARS. It has ALSO been claimed that it creates alzheimers also.

      And a show's host recently said that there are as many people that are 65 or above in the US as there are people in canada! That is SCARY! He further claimed that it showed that medicine works. It shows NOTHING of the sort because, in part, he ALSO said there were so many old folks homes. Living to be so old is senseless and I wouldn't want it, unless you are REASONABLY mobile, comfortable, and intelligent. So many today AREN'T!

      steve
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  • Profile picture of the author MoneyMagnetMagnate
    Below is a message of thanks for your support from Avazz:
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    Wow! 750,000 signers in less than 36 hours. Share this with everyone -- let's reach 2.5 million before tomorrow's key meeting

    Dear friends,



    Bees around the world are dying off and Europe’s food watchdog just said certain pesticides are part of the problem. We’ve got 24 hours before key meetings -- let’s get a 2-million-person swarm to save the bees. Click to take urgent action now:
    Quietly, globally, billions of bees are dying, threatening our crops and food. But in 24 hours the European Union could move to ban the most poisonous pesticides, and pave the way to a global ban that would save bees from extinction.

    Four EU countries have begun banning these poisons, and some bee populations are already recovering. Days ago the official European food safety watchdog stated for the first time that certain pesticides are fatally harming bees. Now legal experts and European politicians are calling for an immediate ban. But Bayer and other giant pesticide producers are lobbying hard to keep them on the market. If we build a huge swarm of public outrage now, we can push the European Commission to put our health and our environment before the profit of a few.

    We know our voices count! Last year, our 1.2 million strong petition forced US authorities to open a formal consultation on pesticides -- now if we reach 2 million, we can persuade the EU to get rid of these crazy poisons and pave the way for a ban worldwide. Sign the urgent petition and send this to everyone -- Avaaz and leading MEPs will deliver our message ahead of this week's key meeting in Brussels:

    Avaaz - Only hours left to ban bee killers

    Bees don't just make honey, they are vital to life on earth, every year pollinating 90% of plants and crops -- with an estimated $40bn value and over one-third of the food supply in many countries. Without immediate action to save bees, many of our favourite fruits, vegetables, and nuts could vanish from our shelves.

    Recent years have seen a steep and disturbing global decline in bee populations -- some bee species are already extinct and some US species are at just 4% of their previous numbers. Scientists have been scrambling for answers and now the European Food Safety Authority is saying that toxic chemicals called neonicotinoid pesticides could be responsible for the bee deaths. France, Italy, Slovenia and even Germany, where the main manufacturer Bayer is based, have banned one of these bee-killing pesticides. But Bayer continues to export its poison across the world.

    Now the issue is coming to a boil. EU parliamentarians are stepping up their pressure on the European Commission and key governments to push new legislation to ban the deadly pesticides, and we can offer them the public support they need to counter the powerful pesticide lobby. Sign the urgent petition to Europe’s leaders, then forward this email widely:

    Avaaz - Only hours left to ban bee killers

    Our world is beset with threats to what makes it habitable, and to what fills it with wonder. The Avaaz community comes together to defend both -- large or small. Whether winning a battle to keep the International Whaling Commission from sanctioning the murder of these giants, or saving bees, the tiny creatures upon which so much depends, we will come together and stand up for the world we all want.

    With hope,

    Luis, Ari, Alice, Iain, Ricken, David, Alaphia, and the Avaaz team

    SOURCES

    Pesticides pose danger to bees (European Voice)
    Pesticides pose danger to bees | European Voice

    Crop pesticides are 'killing our bees' - says MEP (Public Service Europe)
    Crop pesticides are 'killing our bees' - says MEP - Public Service Europe

    Death knell for nerve agent pesticides in move to save bees (Independent)
    Death knell for nerve agent pesticides in move to save bees - Nature - Environment - The Independent

    Give Bees a Chance! (The Greens European Free Alliance)
    GIVE BEES A CHANCE! - Content - The Greens | European Free Alliance

    Studies fault Bayer in bee die-off (Christian Science Monitor)
    Studies fault Bayer in bee die-off - CSMonitor.com

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