To: President Donald Trump
Tell President Obama to ban bee-killing pesticides
Dear President Obama,
Thank you for calling national attention to the plight of bees and other pollinators. As you know, these important creatures provide critical services to our agricultural economy and are an integral part of healthy ecosystems. And they continue to die off in dramatic numbers.
Bees are facing many challenges, including habitat loss, pathogens and pesticide exposure. A mounting body of scientific evidence points to one class of systemic insecticides -- neonicotinoids -- as a key factor in bee declines. Neonicotinoids can kill bees outright and, at sublethal doses, impair bees’ brain function and suppress their immune systems -- making them more susceptible to diseases, pests and other stressors.
This problem is urgent. Beekeepers report continuing unsustainable losses and many have gone out of business. EPA’s plan to complete its review of neonicotinoids by 2016-2019 is not an acceptable timetable for beekeepers or our food security.
We urge you to listen to the growing body of science that tells us we need to ban this class of pesticides. They are a key part of the problem and need to be tackled head-on.
Thank you,
Why is this important?
Right now, we’re at a critical moment in the fight to save bees -- and we need your help!
In just a few weeks, the Obama administration will likely announce a plan to protect bees. This is our best chance for nationwide action to protect these crucial pollinators -- and our food system that depends on them.
But in order to truly help bees, the plan must address toxic pesticides made by chemical companies like Bayer and Syngenta.
Almost 4 million Americans have already signed petitions urging President Obama to protect bees from these pesticides. But we need you to keep up the pressure on him to put the bees and our food system ahead of Big Ag’s profits.
Sign the petition now! Urge President Obama to ban bee-killing pesticides!