Latest news with #pollinators
France 24
3 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
A million people sign French petition against bringing back bee-killing pesticide
The so-called "Duplomb law" has stirred public anger for permitting a return of acetamiprid -- a chemical known to be toxic to pollinators such as bees and to ecosystems. It was adopted on July 8 but has not yet come into effect. A 23-year-old master's student launched the petition against the law on July 10, with support quickly snowballing with the backing of many including actors and several left-wing lawmakers. More than 500,000 people signed it in 24 hours from Saturday and Sunday alone. The law's proponents however argue farmers face too much regulation in France as is, and allowing them to use acetamiprid again would help reduce the constraints they face. National Assembly Speaker Yael Braun-Pivet on Sunday ruled out abandoning the legislation, named after the conservative lawmaker who proposed it, as it would "save a certain number of our farmers". The petition's author, Eleonore Pattery, who describes herself as "a future environmental health professional", called the new law a "scientific, ethical, environmental and public health aberration". "It represents a frontal attack on public health, biodiversity, the coherence of climate policies, food security, and common sense," she said. 'Bee killer' Acetamiprid has been banned in France since 2018, but remains legal within the European Union. The insecticide is particularly sought after by beet and hazelnut growers, who say they have no alternative against pests and face unfair competition. On the other hand, beekeepers have branded the chemical "a bee killer". Its effects on humans are also a source of concern but, in the absence of large-scale studies, its risks remain unclear. The petition calls for the "immediate repeal" of the law and a "citizen-led consultation involving health, agricultural, environmental and legal stakeholders". Petitions do not in themselves trigger a review or repeal of the legislation but unprecedented public support may prompt renewed parliamentary discussion on the matter. Under French rules, if a petition reaches 500,000 verified signatures, the National Assembly may choose to hold a public debate limited to the content of the petition itself. Speaker Braun-Pivet told the broadcaster franceinfo on Sunday she would be in favour of such a debate, but lawmakers "could not in any case go back on the law which has been voted through". In late June, ahead of the law's passage, several thousand demonstrators -- including farmers, environmental organisations and scientists -- rallied across France calling for the bill to be withdrawn.
France 24
5 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Bid to bring back pesticide in France sparks unprecedented petition
The so-called "Duplomb law" has stirred public anger for permitting a return of acetamiprid -- a chemical known to be toxic to pollinators such as bees and to ecosystems. It was adopted on July 8 but has not yet come into effect. The legislation, named after the conservative lawmaker who proposed it, was presented in parliament as a measure to "reduce constraints" on French farmers. But its move to bring back acetamiprid prompted a 23-year-old master's student, Eleonore Pattery, to launch a petition against it which quickly snowballed, gathering support from many people, including actors and several leftwing lawmakers. The French parliament's official website showed it had accumulated more signatures than any other. At 6:00 pm (1600 GMT) Saturday the counter had passed 550,000. Pattery, who describes herself as "a future environmental health professional", called the new law a "scientific, ethical, environmental and public health aberration. "It represents a frontal attack on public health, biodiversity, the coherence of climate policies, food security, and common sense," she said. Acetamiprid has been banned in France since 2018, but remains legal within the European Union. The petition calls for the "immediate repeal" of the law and a "citizen-led consultation involving health, agricultural, environmental and legal stakeholders". Petitions do not in themselves trigger a review or repeal of the legislation but unprecedented public support may prompt renewed parliamentary discussion on the matter. Under French rules, if a petition reaches 500,000 verified signatures, the National Assembly may choose to hold a public debate limited to the content of the petition itself. In late June, before the law's passage, several thousand demonstrators — including farmers, environmental organisations and scientists — rallied across France calling for the bill to be withdrawn.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Pollinating count to track Square Mile's ecosystem
Bees, butterflies and moths are being counted across the City of London on Thursday to document the state of insect populations. The Annual Pollinator Count aims to track pollinator populations in a bid to learn more about the variety of species in the square mile, and their role in the ecosystem. Counts, organised by charity Pollinating London Together, will take place in Christchurch Greyfriars Church Garden, St Paul's Festival Garden and Inner Temple Garden. Anyone can take part in the count by downloading the FIT app to register which pollinators they spot in any green space in the square mile. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to More on this story Hot weather boosts butterfly count at Kew Gardens Londoners asked to count city's pollinating insects
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Bedford council wins Bees' Needs award for wildlife corridors
A council that transformed intensively mown areas into thriving wildflower corridors to help insects and wildlife has won an award. Bedford Borough Council was honoured with the Bees' Needs Champion Award 2025 for its pollinator-friendly initiatives. It previously won in 2021. The authority said it had worked to provide food and shelter for animals, as well as "safeguard open spaces from vehicle incursions by planting wildflower-rich landscape features along park boundaries". Independent councillor Nicola Gribble said: "By creating these wildflower corridors, we are not only safeguarding biodiversity but also enriching the green spaces our community loves." Since 2023, corridors at Putnoe Park (also known as Bowhill), as well as open spaces at Newnham Avenue, Woodcote Open Space, and Chiltern Avenue, have created "vital nectar-rich habitats for bees, bugs, and other pollinators", the council said. "This work supports biodiversity, enhances visitor experience, and encourages the wider community to take action in support of pollinators," it added. Gribble said protecting pollinators was essential for a "healthy environment and a vibrant borough". She added: "This award recognises the hard work of our teams and the positive impact we can have when we prioritise nature in urban areas."The wildlife-friendly schemes were funded through Council Capital Funding. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Guernsey group reports rise in pollinators this year
Warmer weather has led to an increase in pollinators across the island, with numbers generally up on last year, according to an environmental Pollinator Project, which created a wildflower area adjacent to Fort Road earlier this year, aims to protect insects such as bees, butterflies, beetles and flies that visit flowering Gordon Steele said anecdotally there been a 20% increase in pollinators this year."As the flowers have come out and as things have developed, we can see more butterflies, more bumblebees, more beetles, more of the good stuff in this field than we ever have had before, which is really, really encouraging," he said. Mr Steele added: "It's been a good year for insects, the warm weather has really helped them." The group said they had only just begun collecting data which they can use to compare pollinator numbers in the years to Steele believed "the real test will be what's it like in a years' time or two years' time"."Fort Field project is an example where some relatively simple and inexpensive changes can create a pollinator friendly environment that benefits both biodiversity and humans," he said."We aim to demonstrate best practice in verge and perennial wildflower meadow management that can be adopted by any landowner."
