Save Bees From the USDA!
- by: Lynn Hamilton
- recipient: United States Department of Agriculture
The numbers are in, and bees are definitely dying off. That's not just bad news for the bees. It's bad new for everyone who needs to eat plant food--which is pollinated by bees. And that's everyone.
You might think that the United States Department of Agriculture would be doing everything in its power to save our bee population. But evidence to the contrary is mounting. Lately, it appears the USDA fires its own scientists if they find evidence that pesticides harm bees. A recently filed lawsuit alleges that four bee scientists have been fired from the USDA for reporting on the collapse of the bee population. Please join me in asking the USDA commit to protecting sound science in the public interest over the big business of agriculture.
To the United States Department of Agriculture:
I would have thought you would be doing everything possible to save our bees. Bees, as I think you know, pollinate the food we need to survive. Protecting big agriculture business from the realities of bee loss is an extremely short sighted approach. But I have to conclude from the rate at which you are firing your own scientists that you have chosen that approach. You should, instead, be isolating the pesticide and fertilizer chemicals that are responsible for bee death and taking those items off the market. You should be educating farmers about the long-term benefits of organic farming or minimimal chemical use. Please commit to protecting sound science in the public interest over the big business of agriculture.
