CAMPAIGN Stop the neonics
BAN THESE DEADLY NEONICS
Unite calls on farmers to stop using – and Labour to keep its word
Unite will continue to press the Labour government for an outright ban of neonicotinoids (neonics), a class of pesticides that are toxic to bees and other pollinators.
Neonicotinoids have been banned in the EU and the UK since 2018 because of the high risk they pose to bee populations. A University of Sussex bee expert, Prof Dave Goulson, claimed that one teaspoon of the pesticide is enough to kill over a billion bees.
But since 2021, the previous Tory government has controversially authorised emergency use of thiamethoxam, a type of neonicotinoid, on sugar beet every single year. The pesticide has been used to kill aphids that spread virus yellows, a plant disease that’s affected crops.
During its summer election campaign, Labour pledged to ban neonicotinoids, with Keir Starmer stating, “The new government will ban neonicotinoid pesticides imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam due to their impact on bees.”
But in October, the Guardian reported that Labour may row back on this pledge. The newspaper revealed that
the government is considering an application from the National Farmers Union (NFU) and British Sugar to use a neonicotinoid called Cruiser SB on sugar beet for the fifth year in a row.
The government has claimed that legally it must consider the application, with a Defra spokesperson noting, “Decisions on emergency authorisation applications for use of neonicotinoids on sugar beet for 2025 will be taken in line with legal requirements.”
The spokesperson added, “This government has been clear that we will change existing policies to ban the use of neonicotinoid pesticides that threaten bees and other vital pollinators.”
Environmental groups have highlighted that the government can legally reject the NFU and British Sugar application based solely on advice from government scientists who have called for an outright ban.
Unite member and Commonwealth War Graves gardener Paul Gibson, who is also a beekeeper, expressed grave disappointment that the government may approve emergency neonicotinoid use.
13 uniteLANDWORKER Winter 2024 “Keir
Stamer promised a more
honest politics that would take on vested interests in the interests of the many and not the few,” he said. “It’s been a particularly bad year for pollinating insects and they need all the help we can give them.
“It appears that our European neighbours can live without neonicotinoids, but British agriculture cannot,” he added.
“British farmers often rightly tout their higher welfare standards – and ask British consumers to pay extra for their products – but with this news, they risk losing this reputation.”
Unite national officer Bev Clarkson said, “It is concerning that the government is considering approving emergency use of neonicotinoids.
“Evidence from the government’s own scientists is clear – these pesticides must be banned. Unite will continue to press the government to stick to its promises.”
n By Hajera Blagg
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
