Template press release if your MP is supportive
[INSERT NAME OF LOCAL GROUP] Friends of the Earth press release
Embargo: For immediate release, [INSERT DATE]
Contact and images: [INSERT CONTACT, INCLUDING NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND
EMAIL]
MP JOINS LOCAL CAMPAIGNERS AND BACKS THE
BAN ON BEE-HARMING PESTICIDES
[INSERT NAME OF MP] has joined local campaigners from [INSERT NAME OF
GROUP] Friends of the Earth and called for British bees to be protected from toxic
pesticides.
After scientists warned that they harm bees, the use of some pesticides known as
neonicotinoids is currently restricted on some crops across Europe. But despite
objections from over half a million people the UK Government recently controversially
agreed to allow them to be used in our fields this autumn.
Members of [INSERT NAME OF GROUP] Friends of the Earth were out in force in
[INSERT LOCATION AND DETAILS OF EVENT/STALL] on [INSERT DATE] to gather
support for The Bee Cause campaign and spread the word about these bee-harming
pesticides. The group is calling on the UK Government to maintain the current ban on
neonicotinoids and expand it to include all crops.
Bees have lost much of their natural habitat in the past 60 years - including 97 per cent
of wildflower meadows - and are under assault from pesticides, intensive farming and
climate change.
Friends of the Earth helped persuade the UK Government to launch a National
Pollinator Strategy in 2014 to tackle bee decline. Now we need to make sure our
politicians deliver on their promise, and become the Parliament that saves our bees.
[INSERT SPOKERSPERSON NAME] from [INSERT NAME OF GROUP] Friends of
the Earth said:
“Bees are crucial for pollinating Britain’s fields, allotments and gardens but it’s clear
that they’re under threat from these toxic pesticides. It’s great to have the support of
[INSERT MP NAME] and know [he/she] supports keeping these bee-harming
pesticides banned.”
[INSERT MP NAME] said:
“I support the ban on neonicotinoid pesticides being. We must listen to the science –
which is now overwhelming - and champion the long-term interests of our bees.”
[OR INSERT YOUR OWN REFERENCE TO WHAT YOUR MP HAS SAID]
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. After months of secrecy the UK Government gave the go-ahead to farmers to
use banned bee-harming pesticides in England on 22 July 2015.
2. Landscape-wide research by the Food and Environment Research Agency
(Fera) on oilseed rape fields in England and Wales shows a link between
neonicotinoid use and honeybee colony losses.
3. For more than 40 years we’ve seen that the wellbeing of people and planet go
hand in hand – and it’s been the inspiration for our campaigns. Together with
thousands of people like you we’ve secured safer food and water, defended
wildlife and natural habitats, championed the move to clean energy and acted to
keep our climate stable. Be a Friend of the Earth – see things differently. For
further information visit www.foe.co.uk, follow us at @wwwfoecouk, or like our
Facebook page.
Template press release if your MP isn’t supportive
[INSERT NAME OF LOCAL GROUP] Friends of the Earth press release
Embargo: For immediate release, [INSERT DATE]
Contact and images: [INSERT CONTACT, INCLUDING NAME, PHONE NUMBER AND
EMAIL
[INSERT MP NAME] URGED TO BACK BAN ON BEE-HARMING PESTICIDES
Campaigners from [INSERT NAME OF GROUP] Friends of the Earth have called on
[INSERT NAME OF MP] to help protect British bees from toxic pesticides.
After scientists warned that they harm bees, the use of some pesticides known as
neonicotinoids is currently restricted on some crops across Europe. But despite
objections from over half a million people the UK Government recently controversially
agreed to allow them to be used in our fields this autumn.
Members of [INSERT NAME OF GROUP] Friends of the Earth were out in force in
[INSERT LOCATION AND DETAIL OF EVENT/STALL] on [INSERT DATE] to gather
support for The Bee Cause campaign and spread the word about these bee-harming
pesticides. The group is calling on [INSERT NAME OF MP] to support keeping the
current ban on neonicotinoids and expand it to include all crops.
Bees have lost much of their natural habitat in the past 60 years - including 97 per cent
of wildflower meadows - and are under assault from pesticides, intensive farming and
climate change.
Friends of the Earth helped persuade the UK Government to launch a National
Pollinator Strategy in 2014 to tackle bee decline. Now we need to make sure our
politicians deliver on their promise, and become the Parliament that saves our bees.
[INSERT SPOKERSPERSON NAME] from [INSERT NAME OF GROUP] Friends of
the Earth said:
“Bees are crucial for pollinating Britain’s fields, allotments and gardens but it’s clear
that they’re under threat from these toxic pesticides. [INSERT MP NAME] and the
Government should be listening to the science and championing the long-term
interests of our bees. It’s disappointing that [INSERT MP NAME] won’t support
keeping these bee-harming pesticides banned, especially since the science against
them is so overwhelming. [OR INSERT YOUR OWN REFERENCE TO WHAT
YOUR MP HAS SAID]”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
1. After months of secrecy the UK Government gave the go-ahead to farmers to
use banned bee-harming pesticides in England on 22 July 2015.
2. Landscape-wide research by the Food and Environment Research Agency
(Fera) on oilseed rape fields in England and Wales shows a link between
neonicotinoid use and honeybee colony losses.
3. For more than 40 years we’ve seen that the wellbeing of people and planet go
hand in hand – and it’s been the inspiration for our campaigns. Together with
thousands of people like you we’ve secured safer food and water, defended
wildlife and natural habitats, championed the move to clean energy and acted to
keep our climate stable. Be a Friend of the Earth – see things differently. For
further information visit www.foe.co.uk, follow us at @wwwfoecouk, or like our
Facebook page.