Soil Association Website

The Soil Association welcomes today’s decision by the EU to suspend the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides

ncollins-daniel — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:31:00 GMT

Emma Hockridge, Soil Association Head of Policy said; "This is a victory not only for the bees and other pollinators, but for independent science against the political, pro-pesticide position adopted by UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and the pesticide industry. The European Commission and many European governments have reacted responsibly to the British and European scientific evidence showing clearly that a suspension is justified.

Press comment: Waitrose removes three neonicotinoids from supply chain

hblack — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:39:00 GMT

Following the announcement that Waitrose is restricting the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides from its supply chain of fruit, vegetables and flowers, Helen Browning, Chief Executive of the Soil Association said;

Keep the pressure up for the bees: Email your MP

hblack — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:00:00 GMT

On Friday 15 March, 2013 the EU failed to ban three neonicotinoid pesticides. In the voting process decision-makers failed to recognise the weight of evidence against bee-damaging, neonicotinoid pesticides. However EU member states will vote again on the proposed neonicotinoid ban in late April.

Comment: Soil Association warmly welcomes the conclusions of the Environmental Audit Committee inquiry: ‘Insects and Insecticides’

hblack — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:44:00 GMT

Commenting on the release of the report from the all-party Environmental Audit Committee ‘Insects and Insecticides’ released today, Emma Hockridge, Soil Association Head of Policy said:

Comment: New study reveals pesticide combination affects bees’ ability to learn

hblack — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:50:00 GMT

A new study published today (27th March) has found exposure to a combination of pesticides (including neonicotinoids) negatively affects the brains of bees. The study is the first to show ‘field relevant’ levels of these pesticides have a direct impact on pollinator brain physiology.

Soil Association statement:European Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health decision not to suspend three neonicotinoids

ncollins-daniel — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:49:00 GMT

It’s a terrible day for bees that the EU couldn’t decide to ban three neonicotinoid pesticides (clothianidin, thiametoxam and imidacloprid) because qualified majority was not reached.

Chemical industry claims that banning bee-killing insecticides will make matters worse are untrue

fnorris — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:59:00 GMT

This briefing note summarises the comparative benefits of banning neonicotinoids and returning to targeted spraying of insecticides, and provides evidence that claims made by the chemical industry that impacts on honey bees and other pollinator insects would be worse if neonicotinoids were banned are without foundation.

Press statement: European Commission bee proposal

hblack — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:05:00 GMT

Following news of proposals to restrict the use of neonicotinoids from the European Commissioner for health and consumer policy, Peter Melchett, policy director at the Soil Association said;

Retailers remove products containing neonicotinoids

ncollins-daniel — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 17:46:00 GMT

Following news that Wickes and B&Q have removed two products containing harmful neonicotinoids from their shelves, Peter Melchett, Policy Director at the Soil Association said;

Soil Association comment: The Humboldt Forum for Food and Agriculture report

ncollins-daniel — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 10:06:00 GMT

A new report released today (15 January 2013) claims neonicotinoid insecticides make a significant contribution to crop production in the UK and if UK farmers no longer had access to neonicotinoid pesticides, it would result in a loss of approximately £630million to the economy each year.

New European report on neonicotinoids

ncollins-daniel — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:51:00 GMT

A new report from the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Internal Policies has come out highlighting the scientific research showing negative impacts of neonicotinoid pesticides on bees throughout Europe.

Silent shadows

tyoung — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:54:00 GMT

Published fifty years ago in 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring has been described as one of the most influential books yet to be written by an environmentalist. The book’s beautiful prose, and damning indictment of the use of what were then ‘modern’ insecticides, caused a publishing sensation when it was first published and continues to influence national and global decision-making on the regulation of persistent and bio-accumulative chemicals. To mark the fiftieth anniversary of its publication four distinguished members of the organic movement’s history to give their personal recollections on Carson’s work.

Soil Association gives bee evidence to parliament

tyoung — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 16:13:00 GMT

The Soil Association has given evidence to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee inquiry into Insects and Insecticides. Speaking to MPs on Wednesday 21 November policy director Peter Melchett and policy manager Emma Hockridge called on the Government to take strong action against one of the key culprits causing a catastrophic decline in bee and other pollinator numbers: neonicotinoid pesticides.

Soil Association’s 66th AGM looks towards ban on neonicotinoids

ncollins-daniel — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:56:00 GMT

The Soil Association AGM will hear today that the continued use of neonicotinoid pesticides is resulting in the decline of honey bees and other pollinators. Soil Association members from across the UK will gather at the 66th AGM held in London on 31 October 2012 to hear plans to ‘Keep Britain Buzzing.’

Decisive action from the Government is required on the dangers of pesticides for pollinators

jstride — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 13:20:00 GMT

Biologists at the University of London that carried out a detailed field study into bumblebees have exposed to two commonly used agricultural insecticides, including the neonicotinoid imidacloprid.