· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Independent or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: In 2023, the UK exported 8,500 tonnes of domestically banned pesticides, including the bee-killing insecticide thiamethoxam, which Greenpeace says could cover an area larger than England
• Nearly all exports came from Syngenta, whose Huddersfield facility produces these chemicals for countries with weaker regulations
• Campaigners accuse the UK of enabling environmental harm abroad despite banning these pesticides domestically
🔭 The context: UK laws permit the production and export of banned pesticides, a practice criticized by NGOs but justified by Syngenta as meeting global agricultural needs
• Brazil, a key importer, has seen a surge in diquat use, replacing paraquat, which was banned for its links to poisoning deaths
• France, Belgium, and the European Commission are taking steps to halt similar exports, but the UK has yet to follow suit
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Exporting toxic pesticides undermines global biodiversity, especially in nations with weaker environmental protections
• Neonicotinoids, linked to bee population decline, pose severe risks to ecosystems and food security worldwide
• Critics argue the practice prioritizes corporate profits over global ecological health and sustainable agriculture
⏭️ What's next: Greenpeace calls for the UK to ban exports of all domestically banned pesticides, aligning with European efforts
• The Labour government faces scrutiny for potentially authorizing neonicotinoid use on UK sugar beet crops despite prior promises to enforce a total ban
• Pressure is mounting, with over 1.6 million petition signatures urging stricter regulations
💬 One quote: “Talk about double standards... Farmers and nature are being exploited for corporate benefits” – Doug Parr, Greenpeace UK’s Chief Scientist
📈 One stat: Syngenta exported nearly 400 tonnes of thiamethoxam in 2023, primarily to Côte d’Ivoire, Ukraine, and Morocco
Click for more news covering the latest on pollution
