EU votes to ban pesticides

The European Union has voted to ban three pesticides linked to bee deaths for two years, in a world’s first continent-wide ban on the chemicals. The insecticides are used to treat seeds, and applied to soil or sprayed on bee-attractive plants and cereals.

15 nations voted in favor of the ban, while 8 voted against, with 4 abstaining. The European Commission said the ban would apply from December 1^st.

EU health commissioner Tonio Borg emphasized the importance of protecting the bees, as they “contribute over 22 billion euros annually to European agriculture.” Bees account for 80% of plant pollination by insects, rendering them indispensible to stable global food production.

Marco Contiero of Greenpeace stated, “Today's vote makes it crystal clear that there is overwhelming scientific, political and public support for a ban,” in light of heavy opposition from pharmaceutical groups and farmers lobbying against the ban.

Flickr Photo by: rjmyint

STORY WRITTEN BY: SPOON JUNG