Forum Topic

Bee killing

Very concerning that, even in spite of Gove’s assurances, the government has now agreed,  to allow the use of a pesticide known to kill bees.

Stewart Jones ● 2118d19 Comments

As usual, your visceral hatred of the government means you limit the facts.  It is only in the case of sugar beet:_https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bees-kill-pesticide-insect-sugar-neonic-b1784693.htmlI don't disagree with you that even this is not acceptable but your post was very misleading, as are many of them. But at least we can campaign about our disagreement about this to known ministers.  And the EU is still causing appalling animal suffering including mandatory live exports where animals are transported in terrible conditions, often break limbs, anyone trying to give them food or water are prosecuted.  When will you actually present the real picture versus your obsessinal hate with our current government?  There is a lot wrong with them but I thank goodness Diane Abbott and Jeremy Corbyn are not in charge now.  They would have invited the virus for a cup of tea to discuss it all, including why it is so racist.

Claire Moran ● 2118d

Thiamethoxam is designed protect sugar beet in its early stages from insects but critics warn it will not only kill bees but also harm creatures in the soil as it washes off.NFU sugar board chairman Michael Sly said the pesticide would be used in a limited and controlled way and only when the scientific threshold has been independently judged to have been met.“Virus yellows disease is having an unprecedented impact on Britain’s sugar beet crop, with some growers experiencing yield losses of up to 80 per cent, and this authorisation is desperately needed to fight this disease. It will be crucial in ensuring that Britain’s sugar beet growers continue to have viable farm businesses,” he said.A Defra spokesperson said: “Emergency authorisations for pesticides are only granted in exceptional circumstances where diseases or pests cannot be controlled by any other reasonable means. Emergency authorisations are used by countries across Europe.“Pesticides can only be used where we judge there to be no harm to human health and animal health, and no unacceptable risks to the environment. The temporary use of this product is strictly limited to a non-flowering crop and will be tightly controlled to minimise any potential risk to pollinators.”

Cllr Sam Hearn ● 2118d

Oh, and the EU does not regulate how the animals are killed/treated once exported outside the EU. Slammed on the walls to beat their brains out, throats cut while fully conscious (the latter fine currently in the UK too which MUST be stopped, animals know what is going to happen and shake uncontrollably with fear and then experience the most awful terror and pain) is about the best of their short life experience.  Utterly disgusting.

Claire Moran ● 2118d

So, you agree it’s wrong. Good.We’ve left the EU.

Stewart Jones ● 2118d

Indeed we have, so we can now stop live animal exports which we couldn't when in the EU.

Claire Moran ● 2118d

Yet another EU myth.  EU legislation expressly permits restrictions on the transport of animals over seaways.And if there are any aspects of EU law that could be improved (I am sure there are many), well, now we have lost the  democratic voice we had within the EU by voting for MEPs, or through the Council of Ministers, to change them.  What an own goal!

T P Howell ● 2118d

But our so-called democratic EU voice achieved bugger all (sorry if the language upsets you) regarding animals.  In the meantime the UK government has brought in other animal laws, such as Lucy's Law, which is absolutely groundbreaking. There is still a very, very long way to go, but I would rather be able to lobby named politicians than be mired in an EU political swamp.

Claire Moran ● 2118d

I particulaly resented my taxes being used to support EU financial contributions to support the incredibly cruel bull fighting as it was considered part of EU 'culture.'

Claire Moran ● 2118d

So now we can stop live animal exports... but will we?If we don’t then mentioning this as a reason why it was good we left the EU is just smoke and mirrors.As an analogy, Giving me permission to do things that I’m not ever going to do, which previously I was prohibited from doing isn’t actually giving me anything.

Andrew Jones ● 2118d

Well, Johnson has promised he will. Which of course doesn't mean he will.  But the groundswell of people, young, middle aged and elderly who really care about the planet, not just just in terms of survival eg immediate erosion of houses in coastal areas, but about preserving green spaces, protecting wild animals, exported animals and farm animals aa well as  domestic pets (still a really long way to go on all of those)is really growing.  Hopefully Carrie Symonds will help Boris to see what the majority of the country is thinking/feeling.  Of course there are still many who don't care but I think I am right in thinking from what I see on social media that  there are an enormous number of people of all generations, including mine, and hopefully children from five or six  upwards, can see that this is so vitally important to our present planet and the future, and compassion for the incredible sophisticated creatures we share it with.

Claire Moran ● 2118d

Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 is very clear. The Regulation sets down MINIMUM standards that apply across the EU to protect the welfare of animals during transportation.Article 3 says:"3.  This Regulation shall not be an obstacle to any stricter national measures aimed at improving the welfare of animals during transport taking place entirely within the territory of a Member State or during sea transport departing from the territory of a Member State."Yet again - it you believe that the EU prevents animal protection measures- you have been hoodwinked.Another example of how the countries of the EU achieve far more working together collectively than they ever could operating individually.

T P Howell ● 2118d

But they are giving their consent to animals being tortured.

Claire Moran ● 2118d

Where and how?

T P Howell ● 2118d

As cited above.

Claire Moran ● 2118d

Thanks for your original reply to me Claire. Whether or not it's a Brexit benefit, I hope you're right and Boris lives up to his promises.

Andrew Jones ● 2117d

Most of the millions  of farm animals reared in the UK are transported to be slaughtered within the UK A few thousand of the millions that are slaughtered are taken to the EU. Under the Single Market rules (which the UK had enormous input into) the UK could not ban the export of live animals but it could have tightened the rules at any time.Those animals that were sent to the EU will still  be slaughtered but now in the UK. The unscrupulous will put no more effort into ensuring reasonable conditions on a journey within the UK than from the UK to the EU unless the UK directs resources to stopping the  lawbreakers (which it could have ne more effectively at any time)Banning live exports is a step in the right direction and is supported by animal welfare groups across Europe. We have no influence at all now in Europe so any reform there will take longer. Our position  is that any ban will only apply to England and Wales as it is a devolved issue to Scotland who will decide whether or not to agree.  It won’t include Nothern Ireland at all. And it will not cover the export of poultry.

Stewart Jones ● 2117d

Mmm and perhaps sugar is too cheap and a lot of us should be eating less...  Interestingly I think you can appreciate it more when you eat less of it.

Philippa Bond ● 2117d

Could be other factors on top of insecticides and weed killershttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/22/light-pollution-insect-apocalypse?

Russell Pearson ● 2117d

Great article - so this thread now links to the Brentford Stadium one and the Philip Schofield one!(I don't feel quite so enthusiastic about having seen the toad in the back garden jumping for the insects drawn to the kitchen window now.)I still wonder about the lack of car windscreen squashed insects in recent years compared to the past. Is it just the low numbers of insects?  However, I also notice that the Big Butterfly Count last year was down 34% and the lowest for 11 years.

Philippa Bond ● 2116d