Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE BEES PROCESS
Council in call to ban pesticide use
THE bee population is plummeting and pesticides used to protect crops are a “major culprit”, it was claimed yesterday.
Belfast City Council has passed a motion to put pressure on Stormont to protect the species following Brexit.
There are concerns neonicotinoid pesticides banned by the EU from the end of 2018 may be used in Northern Ireland when the UK leaves Europe.
Green Party Councillor Georgina Milne said she hopes the council’s move will help safeguard our bee population. She added: “Bees are much loved by gardeners and they remind us all of sunny summer days.
“More importantly, bees are essential for growing fruit and vegetables.
“Indeed, bees are worth £690million to the UK economy, playing a critical role in pollinating the plants which provide our fruit and vegetables.
“There has been a dramatic drop in numbers in recent years with pesticide use a major culprit.
“These are sprayed on to crops to kill pests but are killing our bees at the same time. The European Union has protected the bee population by banning these pesticides from 2018 onwards.
“However, there is no guarantee this ban will be maintained after we exit the European Union.
“That’s why I am delighted Belfast City Council has supported my motion and will write to DEFRA and DAERA to call for the protection of bees through the maintenance of the pesticides ban.” Friends of the Earth NI director James Orr said: “It is great to see our biggest council taking an interest in trying to help native bees.
“The widespread use of harmful chemicals is killing bees and the plants they depend on.
“With Brexit we are likely to see a weakening of our environmental laws.
“It’s up to councils as well to take responsibility by stopping the indiscriminate use of harmful pesticides.” FUNDING of £200,000 has been set aside to develop detailed plans for eight new greenways.
The four council areas that will benefit are
Newry, Mourne and Down, Antrim and Newtownabbey, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon and Causeway Coast and Glens.each of the proposed projects will get £25,000 from the Department for Infrastructure and Public Health Agency.
Andrew Grieve from the department said: “Exercise – Explore – Enjoy: a Strategic Plan for Greenways, sets out the department’s ambition for the creation of a 1,000km network across Northern Ireland.
“This funding will help more councils to develop Greenway projects that align with that plan.”