WASHINGTON, D.C. – A truck full of dead bees will make its final stop at a rally. That rally will be outside the headquarters of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This is culminating from a coast-to-coast tour raising awareness about bees. You see bees recently have been dying by massive declines. This leaves serious questions about our pollinators.
While millions of dead bees remain in the truck, there are people. These people are Fellow advocates and beekeepers. For the bees, they will deliver over 4 million signatures to the EPA. They are urging an immediate ban on bee-killing pesticides.
One named James Cook beekeeper who spoke has been working with bees for five years. Since he started keeping bees, he’s seen many hives killed by pesticides. James is a Minnesota-based beekeeper who drove the truck across the country.
Most noteworthy point came from James. He added If some fundamental things don’t change, it’s going to be really hard. hard for beekeepers to adapt to the environment around us.
Most important, Bees pollinate most of the world’s most common crops. Some of these crops are including summer favorites like peaches and watermelon. But over 40 percent of U.S. honeybee hives die each year. This is costing the farming and beekeeping industry more than $2 billion annually.
One culprit in the bee die-off is that widely-used class of pesticides. That class is called neonicotinoids, or neonics. Furthermore, last spring EPA began a process to assess four types of neonics and their impacts on pollinators. As well, In January the Agency acknowledged that imidacloprid could indeed harm bees. Although the remaining assessments are still outstanding.
In addition this day was To wrap up their Keep the Hives Alive Tour. So therefore farmers, beekeepers and food advocates met with many officials. Officials from the EPA, members of Congress and representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They were there delivering letters from nearly 200 businesses and organizations. All of them are urging action on bee-killing pesticides supporting sustainable agriculture.
As a result, science is clear and convincing. That’s why we need a nationwide policy. This policy must protect our pollinators before the crisis gets completely out of control. That was also noted by Del. Anne Healey. ANNE is sponsor of Maryland’s Pollinator Protection Act. This would be the first bill passed in the United States to eliminate use of neoconics.
I have never seen any compelling reason to use systemic insecticides,” said Jim Goodman. Jim is a farmer and owner of Northwood Organic Farm in Wonewoc, Wisconsin.
In conclusion, Crop rotation as part of a diverse mix of crops, pasture and native plants seems to work quite well. Of course it makes little profit for the corporations that manufacture agricultural chemicals. As we can see, and there is the rub!
Bees are the most important thing for sustainable food growth. That’s one of the reasons Jim sources 100 percent organic food. That food is free of pesticides that may cause pollinators harm. That quote came from Nora. Nora is owner and founder of Restaurant Nora, America’s first certified organic restaurant.
Bottom line, we can’t allow the chemical agribusiness industry to continue. These are short-sighted practices. These practices will furthermore increase food costs and thereby food supplies diminish. That’s the most important point!
“We have so many losses it’s worse than break-even. It is getting harder and harder to keep bees and make a living.” That’s a quote came from Roger Williams. Roger is president of the Central Maryland Beekeepers Association. Roger most notable said “if we stop keeping bees, who’s going to pollinate your fruits and vegetables? This can’t go on!”
Finally, for More information on bee declines, tour stops, and coalition policy demands. In addition, It is also available at keephivesalive.org and facebook.com/keephivesalive
Source: Friends of the Earth
