233 scientists call on world’s governments to ‘greatly restrict’ use of neonicotinoid insecticides to protect biodiversity

bees

Continued applications of the most widely used insecticides in the world must be urgently restricted, say 233 scientists in a tightly argued letter published in the journal Science.

The scientists, led by Davie Goulson from the University of Sussex in the UK, say that neonicotinoids – a family of neuro-active insecticides first developed in the 1980s – represent a clear and present danger to the survival of numerous species of pollinators and pest-predators that are of “vital importance” to humanity.

In April this year, the European Parliament voted to institute a complete ban on the outdoor use of three of the most popular neonicotinoids. In 2017, the Canadian province of Ontario also moved to partially restrict their use.

To date, however, no other governments have made similar moves – a degree of inaction which prompted Goulson and 232 other signatories to draft the letter.

“Failure to respond urgently to this issue risks not only the continued decline in abundance and diversity of many beneficial insects, but also the loss of the services they provide and a substantial fraction of the biodiversity heritage of future generations,” they warn.

Read full, original post: Scientists call for urgent action on bee-killing insecticides

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