B&Q gives support to bee action plan

B&Q, the UK’s largest garden centre, today, (11th April 2013), gave its support to Friends of the Earth’s call for a national Bee Action Plan.

Friends of the Earth’s Bee Cause campaign is demanding a Bee Action Plan to protect bees from all threats they face including habitat loss. By signing the statement B&Q joins over 160 MPs, the UK's biggest farmer The Co-operative, and the Woman’s Institute in supporting this aim.

Earlier this year, (January), B&Q was one of the first major UK retailers to pledge to help protect the bees by withdrawing pesticides containing imidacloprid.

Matthew Sexton, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at B&Q said: “As the UK’s largest garden centre, we’re proud to be supporting Friends of the Earth’s call for a National Bee Action Plan and to be launching the B&Q Bee Friendly campaign today.

“Having removed pesticides containing imidacloprid from our shelves earlier this year, we’re encouraging other retailers and garden centres to follow our lead and we’ll be helping amateur gardeners from across the UK to think bee-friendly when they garden this season.”

Friends of the Earth Nature Campaigner Sandra Bell said: “It’s fantastic that the UK’s biggest home and garden retailer is taking action to protect these vital species that are in worrying decline.

“Friends of the Earth welcomes all measures to help bees and continues to call for the complete ban of all neonicotinoids for garden use. Bees now need swift decisive action from government to help protect them from all threats, including habitat loss.”

Source : The Economic Voice
www.economicvoice.com/largest-uk-garden-centre-joins-call-for-bee-action-plan/50036170#axzz2QGeMT500