Photo by Kevin Jones
Saturday (August 16) was National Honey Bee Day and ‘Bee Against Monsanto’ actions took place around the world.
The Council of Canadians London chapter participated in this day of action.
The Monsanto herbicide glyphosate kills weeds. The corporation’s Roundup-ready crops – soybeans, corn, canola, sugar beets, cotton and alfalfa – have been genetically modified to be resistant to glyphosate, so that they survive when the herbicide is sprayed to kill weeds.
But studies link glyphosate and neonicotinoids to the weakening of bees’ immune systems. The glyphosate enters all parts of the plant, including the pollen and nectar. It then accumulates in the bee’s central nervous system, weakens their immune systems, and when the pollen is taken to the hive other bees consume it and become sick too.
Bees are critical to our food supply. Seventy out of the top 100 crops that supply about 90 per cent of the world’s nutrition are pollinated by bees. Our healthiest foods – fruits, nuts and vegetables – are pollinated by bees. We need bees for blueberries, apples, cherries, avocados, broccoli, carrots, onions, and so much more.
For more, please see this Facebook event page and Barlow calls for a ban on neonicotinoid insecticides.
