Live Simply May 2024
Live Sustainably with Creation
Help to Save the Bees by Backing Nature Friendly Beet Farmers
In January this year the UK Government approved ‘emergency’ authorisation for the use of the highly damaging neonicotinoid, Thiamethoxam, on sugar beet for the fourth year in a row. This pesticide was banned in the UK in 2018 but it has been approved for use on sugar beet crops in England.
Thiamethoxam is lethal - even a miniscule trace of this toxin can disrupt a bee’s ability to navigate and reproduce, significantly reducing the chance of survival. A third of UK food crops are pollinated by insects, their contribution to the UK economy is estimated at hundreds of millions of pounds per year. Our food system cannot function without bees.
Neonicotinoids are present in more than 10% of English rivers; they are harmful to aquatic life. The decision will put the health of our rivers at further risk; rivers are home to 3,800 invertebrate species.
Neonicotinoid-free sugar is possible:-
• In 2022, 29% of sugar beet farmers did not use the neonicotinoid Thiamethoxam even after the UK Government approved its use.
• In 2023, this number rose to 40% of sugar beet farmers.
It is clear that a growing number of farmers do not want to use damaging neonicotinoids, and they should be rewarded for this.
British Sugar is the company who asked the UK Government to lift the ban for use on sugar beet crops in England. British Sugar is the sole buyer and processor of UK-grown sugar, but currently the company provides no way for beet farmers who choose not to use neonics, to market their sugar as neonic-free (Bee Friendly). We have no way of knowing if the sugar we buy is affected. Only British Sugar can make this change happen.
Growing sugar without neonicotinoids will lead to a wilder future with more wild flowers, insects and birds. The farmers who are choosing not to use neonics need our support.
Action
Sign the petition! Tell British Sugar you want them to support farmers who choose not to use neonics. They should have the opportunity to market their produce as neonic-free, and be paid a premium for this. You can also add your own views about why you want neonic-free sugar and more nature-friendly farming. Here’s the link https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/say-no-neonics
Live Sustainably with Creation
How do Political Party Leaders plan to keep people safe, the climate stable and nature protected in the future?
This open letter was sent on behalf of the parish to all political party leaders by the Reflection Group, at CAFOD’s request, ahead of the coming general election.
Dear Political Party Leaders,
We are writing to you as representatives of local organisations and groups from the length and breadth of the UK, with a huge diversity of experience and interests. What brings us together is our shared hope and commitment to do our bit for people and our planet. We are calling on you to commit to doing the same, and put people and our planet first.
As we worry about the state of our NHS and struggle to pay our bills, we also see the precious rivers, green spaces and species we love in decline. Storms, heatwaves and wildfires caused by the climate crisis are multiplying, with devastating impacts on communities in the UK and across the world.
But we have not lost hope. We can create a country and a world where children walk to school breathing fresh air instead of dangerous fumes and enjoy healthy, sustainable food. Where the natural landscapes and wildlife we love are protected and thriving. Where all communities have the resources to build back from floods, fire or drought. Where our homes are warm and powered by affordable, clean energy. Where parents think about the future with hope instead of fear.
The decisions we make now - like swapping expensive, polluting energy sources for clean, affordable ones - mean we can hold our heads high in the knowledge that the UK is doing its fair share to address climate change, and helping the hardest-hit in communities around the world who are on the front lines of the climate crisis.
Now, as an election approaches, we want to be part of a conversation with you. We want to know how you plan to keep people safe, the climate stable and nature protected. We commit to talking to our local Parliamentary candidates and sharing our ideas, our hopes and our frustrations. In turn, we want you to commit to doing everything you can to meet our national and international commitments to tackle climate change and protect and restore nature.
Science tells us this is a make-or-break decade for the planet we live on. We are ready to be part of the change we need - are you?
Yours sincerely The Parishioners of St. Joseph’s Parish Dinnington
Live in Solidarity with the Poor
Cancel the Debt Campaign – more to be done!
Last month we heard the wonderful news that a Debt Cancellation Deal for Zambia has been agreed
We also heard that there is more to be done - 54 more of the poorest countries in the world are in debt crisis crippled by repayments on high interest loans to some of the world’s richest banks.
The crushing weight of repayments on high interest loans means that many countries can’t rebuild when hit by disasters, such as floods and hurricanes. They haven’t enough money to spend on tackling food and energy price rises, education, health and the climate crisis. They have little room to adapt or transition to a greener economy. It’s a huge injustice at the heart of the climate emergency.
Ghana and Sri Lanka for example, are trapped in unjust debt by greedy lenders like BlackRock. Their governments have been trying to get debt cancelled for years, but last month both of their debt deals collapsed – undermined by financial giants who are stalling the talks and holding out for more money.
How the UK government can help
The UK is in a unique position to end this crisis - because 90% of the debts owed by lower income countries to banks, hedge funds and oil traders are overseen by UK law!
A new debt justice law would force financial giants to engage in negotiations, giving lower income countries a route out of the crisis.
How we can help – Sign a petition to our political leaders calling on whoever is in government after the coming general election to commit to introducing a new debt justice law to cancel debt in lower income countries.
Follow the link to sign the petition https://act.debtjustice.org.uk/election-cancel-debt