Greenpeace makes case for pesticide ban

The environmental group Greenpeace has called on policymakers to ban the use of certain pesticides in Europe, on the basis of scientific evidence showing that chemicals are destroying bee populations.

In a review published on 9 April, the environmental group highlights evidence indicating that chemicals used as insecticides have a significant effect on bee health, at low doses that are consistently used to treat crops. The group is therefore calling on the Commission to ban the use of bee-harming pesticides, starting with seven priority chemicals.

Whilst a lack of international programmes to monitor bee populations means it is difficult to assess the extent of the damage, says the report, figures show that honeybee deaths in Europe have averaged 20 per cent in recent winters.