Bees’ importance cannot be overstated. As TrueActivist has shared before, the tiny, bumbling insects are responsible for a lot – making them essential in the future of our planet.
Therefore, with massive bee die-offs (otherwise known as "colony collapse disorder"), it has been the plight of many scientists, beekeepers, and educated activists to do whatever it takes to ensure bees survive.
Some theories exist as to what is causing colony collapse, such as Monsanto’s GMO crops, the insecticides used to treat them, and EMF frequencies from excessive technological use. But debate persists.
In wake of all the controversy, the German Beekeepers Association (DIB), which represents almost 100,000 beekeepers, decided to take action by calling for a nationwide ban on GMO cultivation. The news comes from a report published by the German NGO keine-gentechnik.de.
As GMWatch shares, this call for a ban follows controversial legislation allowing E.U. member states to opt-out of GM cultivation, even though it has been approved at the European Union level.
As might be expected, many pro-GMO advocates are angry about the new law, calling it “unfounded,” and stating that it “lacks scientific justification.” Many non-GMO supporters – especially beekeepers – stand strong in their stance, however, and point to the many documented dangers (and unproven suspicions) of genetically modified foods.
They also bring to attention the known damage caused by herbicides and pesticides used to grow them, as well as the decimation of pollinating insects.
Beekeepers are hoping that Germany's Agriculture Minister Christian Schmidt will soon administer a nationwide ban. At this point, they – and the rest of the world – need action to be taken to preserve the declining numbers of pollinating bees. So far, the Minister has argued in favor of allowing each state individually to decide if they will ban GMOs.
Because bees can fly up to eight kilometers to pollinate and search for food, this is far from the compromise bee advocates are seeking. Even if one state banned GM crops, cross-contamination from crops of a nearby state could occur, further harming bee populations.
Beekeepers state that this would be “environmentally and agriculturally unacceptable.”
In addition, the exposure of bees to biotech chemicals like glyphosate (which was determined to be "probably carcinogenic" by the WHO’s IARC), would no doubt compromise their numbers even more.
We agree with the DIB’s statement: “Bees know no borders.”
For this reason, it is essential individuals recognize the importance of bees and band together to demand a ban on GMOs in their own country. No doubt a ban so large will be tough to uphold, but at this point measures must be taken.
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