In February 2013, EFSA (European Food Safety Agency) acknowledges that three neonicotinoids are to be classified as toxic to bees. A ban of these substances for 2 years should be voted for on a European level on 25th of February 2013.
As a reaction, Bayer und Syngenta – the main producers of pesticides containing these substances – threaten with massive lawsuits in case of prohibition of the substances. A study spreads fear for the loss of 50 000 jobs.
Some European countries have partly banned the use of neonicotinoids as insecticides (Germany, Slowenia, France, Italy). Online petitions for a ban are ongoing in many European countries. A voting in the European Commission is scheduled for mid March.
A study on “Existing Scientific Evidence of the Effects of Neonicotinoid Pesticides on Bees” was published by DG Internal Policies of the European Commission here:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/studiesdownload.html?file=79433&languageDocument=EN
Markus Imhoof, director of the documentary „More than honey“ publishes bonus material of the movie online.
http://youtu.be/jv-4rv0I4dw
An overview is given in the indepent and the beekeeper’s association blogspot.
February 2012
http://hunajalla.blogspot.com.es/2012/02/kaupunkimehilaisia-biotaiteellisesti-ja.html
May 2012
11.5. Aalto News: Urbaani mehiläinen tekee maukasta hunajaa
16.5. Hunajalla.blogspot.com: Johanna Sinisalo: “Mehiläiset ovat esimerkki siitä, mitä emme voi kontrolloida, mutta josta olemme riippuvaisia”
17.5. YLE1 Finnish public TV: Kaupunkilaismehiläisbuumi Suomeen
