A new study just confirmed our worst fears. We’ve lost
more than half of the insect population in the last
decades. Why? Our fields and farms are being drenched in toxic
chemicals from Bayer-Monsanto and Co.
Here’s the good news: we can still turn this
around -- and we have a plan to do just that.
Together with beekeepers, farmers, scientists, and activists from
all over Europe, we’re launching a European Citizens’ Initiative
(ECI) to get the EU to phase out harmful pesticides and
protect our bees.
We know this works: you stopped the dangerous
trade deal TTIP with an ECI. But we have our work cut out
for us. We need to collect 1 million signatures in at least
seven European countries and follow the strict guidelines to make
sure every single vote counts.
Scaling up like this doesn’t come free. We can only do
this with your support.
Let’s be frank: we don’t have any time to lose if we want a
chance to turn this around. That’s why the launch date is ambitious:
kick off is next week.
Gathering that many signatures in so many different languages
take time and money: for translators, experts,
flyers, posters, ads, billboards, social media, and in-person
actions.
But the pay-off can be huge: If we can get a
million signatures in seven European countries, the Commission has
to listen and act out a plan to phase out all synthetic
pesticides and support small farms as they transition to
bee-friendly, organic agriculture.
Picture this: bees, butterflies and birds all happily co-existing
with clean and healthy farms that use smart technology and
sustainable methods. Bayer-Monsanto would be livid!
And you can bet that their lobbyists will fight you tooth and nail.
So we need to be ready.
If there was ever a time to pass an ambitious initiative
like this one, it’s now. All across Europe, people are
realising that time is running out for the bees -- and taking action
to protect the precious pollinators we have left.
And thanks to SumOfUs members like you, we’re finally getting
through to the people in power. You were the ones who helped
to push the EU to ban three of Bayer and Syngenta’s bee-harming
neonicotinoid pesticides last year -- and even add a
fourth, thiacloprid, to the list last month, after mounting evidence
it was dangerous to bees and farmworkers.
This initiative is a chance to go beyond that -- to end all toxic
pesticide use and transform our farming system into one that
benefits both bees and the people who depend on them. And here’s the
thing: Where Europe goes, other regions will
follow.
