Neonicotinoids

-a bee enemy

Neonicotinoids (also known as neonics) are a huge threat to our bees. They are a type of systematic pesticide and seeds are normally coated in it. It's called a systematic pesticide as it works it's way through the whole system of the plant, from the roots up the stem, into the leaves and flowers and therefore into the pollen. Neonicotinoids when cosumed by the bees can cause damage to their nervous system, meaning they struggling with navigating, feeding and reproducing. Many bees almost become drunk and cannot find their way home. There is so much evidence about their effects on bees for example in 2016 the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology published an 18 year study which evidence a correlation between neonicotinoid use and the decline of wild bees. It's not just bees, our butterflies, birds and other wildlife are all at risk. The Soil Association are campaigning for the ban on these pesticides and have produced the below image to demonstrate how they affect our wildlife.

image from Soil Assosiation

One of the main crops this is used in is oil seed rape and bees love the yellow fields of flowers, our first main honey flow comes from this crop. It also makes you wonder how much is in our food chain and what affects it may have on human health.

There are current EU restrictions in place for such pesticides however this are due to be reviewed this year and Britain voted against these restrictions, meaning leaving the EU puts not only our bees, but all our wildlife, at even more risk. So sign up now to save our bees from these deadly pesticides.