The "Bees and Farming" Resolution:
An Introduction to our Resolution
As residents of a rural Ontario riding, surrounded by a variety of farm enterprises - both conventional and alternative - we have watched with concern the many reports of bee deaths in our own community and around the world.
For several years, the sudden disappearance of worker bees -- a situation known as "colony collapse disorder" -- has seemed a mystery, with blame pointed in many directions, and no clear emerging cause or direct links evident.
In the past few years, however - and coalescing in the 2012 and 2013 growing years - several research studies have now concluded that there is a clear connection between a particular class of insecticides, and some catastrophic bee losses. While it would be inaccurate to assign a single cause to colony collapse disorder, research in Canada and in Europe is providing conclusive links between massive bee deaths and the use of neonicotinoid-based pesticides in agriculture (see our research and news pages for more on this).
As a consequence, Europe has imposed a temporary moratorium on neonicotinoids - so pollinators like honeybees are protected while we learn more about the link, and explore whether the compounds can be safely re-introduced to agriculture.
Following the precautionary principle, we believe that the same moratorium should be imposed in Canada, while we assess the impact of neonicotinoid compounds on pollinator health.
We believe that the Liberal Party of Canada needs to lead with a moderate and balanced position on this issue: one which accommodates the environment as well as progressive agricultural technologies. Our proposed Resolution was carefully constructed to achieve this nuanced position.
AN INTRODUCTION
OUR RESOLUTION
OUR THINKING
GROUNDBREAKING 2013
BEES IN THE NEWS
BEEKEEPERS SPEAK OUT
OPPOSING VIEWS
RESEARCH LINKS: ONTARIO BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
WHAT FARM ORGANIZATIONS SAY
For several years, the sudden disappearance of worker bees -- a situation known as "colony collapse disorder" -- has seemed a mystery, with blame pointed in many directions, and no clear emerging cause or direct links evident.
In the past few years, however - and coalescing in the 2012 and 2013 growing years - several research studies have now concluded that there is a clear connection between a particular class of insecticides, and some catastrophic bee losses. While it would be inaccurate to assign a single cause to colony collapse disorder, research in Canada and in Europe is providing conclusive links between massive bee deaths and the use of neonicotinoid-based pesticides in agriculture (see our research and news pages for more on this).
As a consequence, Europe has imposed a temporary moratorium on neonicotinoids - so pollinators like honeybees are protected while we learn more about the link, and explore whether the compounds can be safely re-introduced to agriculture.
Following the precautionary principle, we believe that the same moratorium should be imposed in Canada, while we assess the impact of neonicotinoid compounds on pollinator health.
We believe that the Liberal Party of Canada needs to lead with a moderate and balanced position on this issue: one which accommodates the environment as well as progressive agricultural technologies. Our proposed Resolution was carefully constructed to achieve this nuanced position.
AN INTRODUCTION
OUR RESOLUTION
OUR THINKING
GROUNDBREAKING 2013
BEES IN THE NEWS
BEEKEEPERS SPEAK OUT
OPPOSING VIEWS
RESEARCH LINKS: ONTARIO BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION
WHAT FARM ORGANIZATIONS SAY