The Agriculture Minister Owen Paterson is threatening to abstain from today’s vote to ban neonicitinoids. If he, along with Germany and Spain do this, there will be no ban. If anyone has the time to spare you can ring his private office on 020 7238 5339
Here are some tips from the campaigning organisation Avvaz on what to say — remember to be polite and respectful when you call. And keep trying if you don’t get through first time.
- I’m calling to urge Minister Paterson to put his urgent support behind the European Commission’s proposal to suspend the use of neonicotinoid pesticides.
- This proposal is vital if we want to protect our bees who pollinate around 2/3rd of European food with a value of some £18bn per year.
- The science has shown these pesticides are harmful for bees. The European Food Safety Agency – one of Europe’s leading scientific bodies – says these pesticides are an unacceptable risk to bees.
- In line with the precautionary principle the UK must support the proposed suspension, and any DEFRA studies should assess the effects of the suspension, not be used as an excuse to block it.
