B&Q to ban neonicotinoid pesticides from flowering plant range to protect bees

B&Q announced today (Tuesday 9 May) that it has banned suppliers from using neonicotinoid pesticides linked to bee decline in its flowering plant range from early next year.  Friends of the Earth is urging other garden centres and leading plant retailers to follow its lead. 

The call comes ahead of Friends of the Earth’s Great British Bee Count (19 May-30 June), which starts next week, and encourages people to find out more about the bees in their neighborhood and what they can do to help these under-threat pollinators.

Friends of the Earth bee campaigner Nick Rau said:

“B&Q’s commitment to ban pesticides linked to bee decline from its flowering plants range is fantastic news – we hope other garden-centres and retailers will follow suit.

“The horticulture industry should stop using these pesticides as soon as possible - and label any plants containing restricted neonicotinoids until this is achieved. 
 
“Planting bee-friendly gardens and other spaces is vitally important for the UK’s threatened bees. Gardeners should ask retailers for neonic-free plants. If in doubt people can always choose organic plants or grow them from seed.”

ENDS

The Great British Bee Count – organised by Friends of the Earth, supported by Buglife and sponsored by Waitrose - is taking place 19 May and 30 June.  People can get involved with a FREE and easy-to-use app at: www.greatbritishbeecount.co.uk

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.