Bee-killing pesticides need to go

The Government needs to ban neonicotinoid pesticides in light of new research that proves they kill bees and other important pollinating insects, the Green Party said today.

“Banning neonicotinoids is one way the Government can take steps to ensure healthy bees thrive in New Zealand,” said Green Party pesticides spokesperson Steffan Browning.

“Healthy bees are critical to our food chain and we must do everything possible to protect them. They pollinate the plants that we and other animals eat. We can’t do without them.

“Harvard research shows higher concentrations of neonicotinoids present in New Zealand plants than in other countries. The research also confirmed neonicotinoids kill bees.

“The Green Party has been calling for neonicotinoids to be banned for years, and we can’t wait any longer. These pesticides stay in the soil and in plants for months or years after application so we need to stop their usage now.

“What does it say about New Zealanders if we allow bee populations to be the collateral damage of our agricultural and horticultural sectors?” said Mr Browning.

Latest Environment Announcements

Story

Greens welcome waste strategy release and work

The Green Party is today welcoming the release of the Government’s waste strategy, but says it has a big gap without action on the container return...
Read More

Story

NZ needs strong protection against water privatisation

New Zealanders deserve strong protection against the future privatisation of water assets, the Green Party says.
Read More

Story

Nature missing in RMA reform

The Government has missed a crucial opportunity to redesign the resource management system with climate and nature at its heart. 
Read More

Story

Report shows reducing actual farming emissions vital

Evidence shows that relying on offsets to reduce agriculture’s impact on the climate will not work, the Green Party says.
Read More

Story

Budget 2022: Greens call for urgency with nature-first climate investments

Budget 2022 shows progress on conservation commitments in the Green Party’s cooperation agreement Green Party achievements in the last Government ...
Read More

Story

Nature needs us to act right now

The Green Party welcomes the release of the implementation plan for Te Mana o te Taiao Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy and calls on the ...
Read More