Historic turning point in the popular mobilization against synthetic pesticides that threaten bees and human health. European citizens’ initiative “Save the bees and farmers” Promotes ban of synthetic pesticides and biodiversity recovery in the European Union by 2035, reaches one million signatures It is necessary for the European Commission to investigate whether it will propose measures in this regard, as reported by the agency on Monday.
Now, supporters of this European Citizens’ Initiative will soon submit their petition to the Community Steering Committee, after which they will hold a hearing in the European Parliament. The commission will have until 7 April 2023 to respond, which may include proposing legislation, taking illegal action or not acting.
The campaign calls on Brussels to propose legislative measures to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides in EU agriculture by 80% by 2030, starting with the most dangerous and Final discontinuation of its use by 2035.
It also calls for the restoration of natural ecosystems in agricultural areas. agriculture has become a vector for biodiversity recovery”reform agriculture and support increased agroecological and organic practices to prioritize “small-scale, diverse and sustainable” farms; as well as allowing independent education and research on pesticide and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) free agriculture.
The proposal won the support of 1.054 million Europeans, Among them were 43,947 Spaniards, making it the seventh European citizens’ initiative to cross the support threshold for Brussels to respond. because this possibility was introduced in 2012.
Martin Dermine, chief executive of this popular initiative, said: “In many EU countries, the Ministries of Agriculture seem to have an unhealthy belief in the benefits of agribusiness, or are too closely tied to it, to try to prevent changes that free our food system from its dependence on chemicals.
The milestone reached by the supporters of this European Citizens’ Initiative “marks the end of an era”. “decisions about our environment at the community and national level were dominated by chemical manufacturers”, Add. Since the 1970s, the Green Revolution has pushed farmers to use special seeds, high doses of fertilizers, and ever-increasing amounts of synthetic pesticides.
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