Protect Insect Pollinators

Protect Insect Pollinators

PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

WHEREAS:

1. The mortality rate for colonies of bees and other pollinators has been rising for the past three years;

2. Insects (primarily bees) play a role in the pollination of 70% of flowering plants;

3. Honeybees contribute more than $2.2 billion to Canada’s agricultural economy each year;

4. There are multiple causes of the decrease in the number and variety of natural and managed pollinators, such as the destruction and disturbance of habitat, pesticide use, side effects of pathogens, and parasites;

5. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency has detected residues of nitro‐guanidine neonicotinoid insecticides used to treat corn seed in approximately 70% of the dead bee samples analyzed in 2012.

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED CITIZENS OF CANADA call upon THE HOUSE OF COMMONS TO:

1. Take concrete steps to solve the problem of high mortality rates among bees and other insect pollinators;

2. Develop a strategy to address the multiple factors related to bee colony deaths, such as the destruction and disturbance of habitat, pesticide use, side effects of pathogens, and parasites;

3. Encourage seed companies to produce and facilitate the purchase of seed that is not treated with neonicotinoids, and ensure the adequate notification and communication to nearby farms when neonicotinoids are being used.