Eastbourne councillors ‘horrified’ by return of previously-banned pesticide

The Government signed up to stop using neonicotinoids two years ago, due to fears it affected the eco-system by killing bees.

However, Eastbourne councillors say the government has now gone back on its pledge to ban the pesticide.

A spokesperson said, “This may be just a temporary license to rid the sugar beet industry of a virus that is attacking their crops, but it is being issued for up to three years.

“What happens when there is another crop that needs this type of treatment? Because we allow them to use it this time they will just keep taking the easy option and before we know it, it will be used on a regular basis across the industry.”

Bees are integral to our lives as they pollinate a third of all the world’s food, according to worldbeeday.org.

Along with the negative effects neonicotinoids can have on bees, the pesticide has also been linked to a decrease in the bird population.

A summary on Sciencedaily.com says, “The overall bird population decreased by 29 per cent since 1970, while grassland birds declined by an alarming 53 per cent.

“A new study points to increased use of neonicotinoid insecticides as a major factor in the decline.”

The council spokesperson added, “We as environmentally conscientious councillors, along with 27,000 people in a petition started by Councillor Jim Murray, would like to hold the government to account for this and say, no more.”

On the petition website Councillor Murray said, “Conservationists have described the decision as regressive and called for safeguards to prevent the pollution of rivers with rainwater containing the chemical at a time when British insects are in serious decline.

“Please sign the petition to make the Government stick to their word and not use these pollutants on our food, which not only kills bees but also affects many other species of insects in the UK.”

Councillor Jon Dow, who is the lead on the climate change motion to make Eastbourne carbon neutral by 2030, added, “Bees are essential to the ecology of not just the country but our farming stock on the whole.

“I see this as a very short-sighted solution to an ongoing problem.

“We must make sure that the government know that a sustainable future for this country needs to be their main priority.”

To find out more about the petition visit: https://bit.ly/3sLAbGD