AUSTIN, Texas — Environment Texas dropped off a petition with 12,000 signatures, calling for the Texas Legislature to follow in the footsteps of other states that have banned harmful pesticides used in agriculture.
- Concerned about depleting bee population
- Say certain pesticides harm bees
- Want Texas legislature to ban certain pesticides
The group went door-to-door this summer informing Texans about dying bee populations and the research showing the chemicals affect bee colonies. The group dropped the petitions off with the offices of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and the Speaker of the House Dennis Bonnen.
Beekeeper Erika Thompson noticed a change in her colonies over the years.
"It's an amazing privilege to be able to care for these creatures, but it's also sad when you see the loss of hives on such a large scale," said Thompson. "Every winter, beekeepers on average lose about one third of their colonies and it's just devastating to go into a hive that was thriving and is just empty and there is [sic] no bees in the hive."
Research shows certain pesticides like neonicotinoids, can be detrimental to honeybees' nervous system.
"Impair a bee's ability to fly and navigate and forage for food, and ultimately it shortens the bees lives," said Thompson.
According to an annual survey by the group Bee Informed Partnership, the downward trend in U.S. bee colonies reached a 13-year peak this past winter.
Until laws change, Thompson says little things you do can help save the bees.
"Whenever you are planting anything in your backyard, choose flowers that will help pollinators," she said.
The group says they wanted to give the legislature time to hold interim hearings ahead of the next session.