Email your MP to ask Owen Paterson to do the right thing for the Bees

06 February 2013

The EU has announced the proposed suspension of three neonicotinoid pesticides, widely considered to be one of the main causes for the near catastrophic decline of bees and other pollinators in recent years. Email your MP to ask Owen Paterson to do the right thing for the Bees.

The EU proposals will only be passed if a majority of EU member states vote in favour on 25 February. France, Holland and many other states are supportive but the UK and Germany are reported to be reluctant. We need your support. Please help us to persuade Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to vote in favour of the EU suspension by emailing your MP now.

Take Action

1. Find your MP's contact details here

2. Ask them to tell Owen Paterson to vote in favour of the suspension. MPs receive many messages, ensure yours stands out by making it unique. Alternatively you can use our statement below:

Please help to save the bees. On 25 February 2013 the EU will decide whether to suspend the neonicotinoid pesticides clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiametoxam. These pesticides are damaging bee populations across Britain and Europe, as evidenced by the EFSA report and evidence given by the Soil Association to the Environmental Audit Committee. Please ask Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to stand with the majority of other EU member states and to vote in favour of a suspension.

3. Tell your friends and family on Facebook and Twitter to ask Owen to do the right thing!

Want to know what else you can do to keep Britain buzzing?

• Get up-to-the-minute bee news by following @SoilAssociation on Twitter
• Donate to Keep Britain Buzzing and get a free packet of bee-friendly seeds and a campaign badge
• Take practical action: take up beekeeping, use organic techniques in your garden and choose bee-friendly, organic produce when you shop, check out our website for more details.