[Greengage]

I see the British Environment Minister, MP Owen Paterson, has decided to ignore the European Parliament and the evidence base and will allow Neonicotinoid insecticides to be used in the UK. Will we follow suit.
for more info on them check out wiki for a start http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonicotinoid

[Sive]

And here's something positive to be doing to support the very survival of the honey bee:
Please sign this petition and send it to all your friends too.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/bye_bye_killers_uk/?tEHDpeb

[Keith g]

I signed this again last night !

Keith.

[Good guy]

I signed it a couple of days ago, too and forwarded it to people.
Monsanto is getting them young! (Or trying to.)
Last evening I was preparing veg in the kitchen. My eight-year-old was watching kids' tv on the other side of the room. All of a sudden she comes over to me: "You should get some of that stuff daddy, it makes the grass in the garden all green again". The stuff was a weed killer/fertiliser for lawns and the advert was visually impressive.
The good bit is that I was able to explain why I don't use stuff like that, in terms she could understand. As she likes bugs and creepy-crawlies, she was easy to persuade!

[Keith g]

Victory at last well for two years anyway, effective from December 1st 2013.

http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/eu-to-ban-beeharming-pesticides-despite-split-vote-29228894.html

I have 2 concerns though:

1. I hope that there is now not a rush to use more harmful chemicals that preceeded these neonicotinoids

2. Science has a wonderful opportunity not to waste this 2 year window to finally prove once and for all that neonics overwhelm bee colonies, maybe that's not enough time, or maybe it colony collapse is down mainly due to the Varroa mite, but either way I will accept the verdict - but give me proof

Keith.