Recently, the European Commission proposed a two-year suspension on the use of three neonicotinoids after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) deemed their use to be an unacceptable risk. The ban failed to achieve a weighted majority and therefore, was not passed. However, it is still subject to an appeal where environmentalists and bee health advocates are anticipating a victory. What direction is needed in order to continue the momentum and what is the process for the people to reach the elected officials responsible for the vote? What is the next course of action to protect all pollinators? In this special series called “The Neonicotinoid Viewâ€, hosts June Stoyer and guest co-host, Tom Theobald, talk to environmental and bee health advocate, Brigit Strawbridge who has been campaigning against neonicotinoids and is going to explain the recent developments in Europe with the proposed ban. Stay tuned! Bio: Brigit Strawbridge moved with her family to a smallholding in Cornwall in 2005, where their endeavors to live a more sustainable lifestyle were the subject of the BBC series ‘It's Not Easy Being Green'. Following the series, Brigit moved back to Malvern, Worcestershire, where she founded ‘The Big Green Idea' an environmental charity dedicated to showing people how easy it is to live a low impact, wildlife friendly and ethical life. Over the last few years Brigit has become increasingly concerned about the plight of our native bees and now spends her time talking, writing and campaigning to raise awareness of the importance of bees as pollinators; the problems they face (focusing on habitat loss and pesticides); and what we can all do to help.

Brigit Strawbridge | beekeeping | bees | neonicotinoids | EU Ban on Neonicotinoids