The European Food Safety Authority recently began a review of the temporary ban on neonicotinoid pesticides imposed two years ago by the European Union (EU) in response to evidence about the harmful effect of these chemicals on bee populations.
The evaluation is due to be completed by January 2017 and it could lead to the ban being lifted or maintained.
Since its introduction, the multinational pesticides manufacturers Bayer and Syngenta have lobbied hard to have the ban lifted, despite the fact that evidence continues to accumulate about the role neonicotinoids are playing in declining bee numbers.
These chemicals are designed to attack insect pests by targeting their central nervous system, resulting firstly in paralysis and then death. However, they are not able to distinguish between a “pest” and a beneficial insect. Thus, as well as bees, evidence suggests that neonicotinoids cause harm to other beneficial insects such as ladybirds, lacewings, ground beetles and parasitic wasps and mites. These are species that contribute to agriculture in various important ways – through pollination, by acting as natural pest controls, and by enhancing soil quality and maintaining vital ecosystems.
Despite the mounting evidence, the UK government has consistently supported the multinationals’ claim that neonicotinoids do not represent a threat to our bee populations. No doubt it will maintain that stance if the EU moves to maintain or extend the ban. In fact, the UK government not only opposed the EU ban when it came in, last year it also used its powers to temporarily relax the ban in some parts of England, all too readily acceding to pressure from pesticides companies and the National Farmers Union.
Organisations such as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and 38 Degrees continue to campaign against any further “relaxations” of the ban in the UK. Please keep a look out for – and support – any on-line petitions from these or other organisations calling on the government to maintain the ban.
The one advantage we individuals have over the multinational corporations is that we have a vote, and ultimately it is votes that are the lifeblood of politicians. It was people pressure that led to the neonicotinoid ban being introduced in the first place, and it will be down to people pressure to ensure that it stays.
On to the recipe.
Asparagus is one of the many plants that depend on bees for pollination (in fact, without bees and other pollinators we would lose three quarters of the fruit and vegetables upon which we currently rely).
The glorious English asparagus season arrived slightly earlier than usual this year, due to the mild winter and spring weather. This very simple dish is a good way to enjoy these delightful harbingers of all the wonderful seasonal produce yet to come.
asparagus, basil and sesame wraps
12 asparagus stems
2 sheets filo pastry
12 basil leaves
100 ml toasted sesame oil
1 tsp sesame seeds (white and black)
1. Remove any woody stems from the asparagus (do this by holding the asparagus spear in one hand about two thirds of the way down from the delicate tip. In the other hand hold it near the base. Gently bring your hands towards each other, bending the asparagus spear until it snaps. Steam the spears for 2 minutes then refresh under cold water and drain.
2. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (350°F, gas mark 4). Cut each sheet of filo pastry into six roughly equal pieces, each around 10 by 15 cm. Brush the filo with sesame oil. Place a basil leaf in the top right hand corner of the pastry and place a single asparagus spear on top. Carefully roll the pastry around the asparagus and basil so that you end up with a cigar shaped wrap.
3. Place the wraps on a lightly oiled baking tray. Brush the surface of each wrap with more sesame oil and sprinkle over a pinch of sesame seeds. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden. Leave to cool. Serve with a dip (such as home-made sweet chilli dipping sauce)