Govt must act on pesticides bee-fore it's too late

News that bee keepers are experiencing significant losses in bee populations should spur the Government into action on restricting bee killing pesticides, Green Party food spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today.

The National Beekeepers Association reported over the weekend that beekeepers in some parts of New Zealand are experiencing losses in their bee populations of up to 30 percent.

“The humble honey bee is in a state of crisis around the world and we need to avert a similar crisis here in New Zealand,” said Ms Kedgley.

“Insecticides that are implicated in bee deaths overseas are being widely used in New Zealand, and we want the Government to suspend their use, while ERMA reassesses them.

“These insecticides, called Neonicitinoids, attack the bees’ central nervous system and contribute to bee deaths. The insecticides are being widely used by farmers to coat grass and maize and other seeds, as well as being used as a spray.

“As a horticultural nation we depend on bees for pollination, and 30 percent bee losses would be disastrous for our horticultural industry,” said Ms Kedgley.

The Green Party has launched a petition calling on the Government to suspend the use of these insecticides, and develop a Healthy Bees strategy, to protect and nurture our bees.

“Our bees are already in a fragile state, because of the Varroa mite, and we cannot carry on as if it were business as usual in the face of significant bee losses. We must take a precautionary approach and stop using insecticides that we know contribute to bee deaths.”

Ms Kedgley said she was worried that instead of taking a precautionary approach, the Government has been dragging its feet on the issue.