Vienna advocates a ban on pesticides

Vienna has now joined those Austrian states that advocate a cooperative strategy for a ban of the neonicotinoids pesticides. Apparently, there are tested alternatives for the pesticides that are harmful for bees.

“Vienna examined whether it was possible to make a solo effort on EU level but a more extensive and European wide ban achieves the objectives in a better way”, said environmental city councilor Ulli Sima.

She also announced that the upcoming municipal council meeting of this week would take steps for a lasting ban of neonicotinoids.

The state environmental experts will meet in Vienna in June. Ms Sima hopes that they will vote unanimously for an unlimited ban in the Austrian states.

Styria started with its own ban of pesticides and Carinthia followed. Upper Austria then asked all states to cooperate in the matter.

Neonicotinoids are pesticides that have been on the market since the 1990s. Since then, they have increasingly spread. The pesticides do not work on the surface but are soaked up by the plant and penetrate the plant’s sap. The pesticide is used on the seeds.

For insects, neonicotinoids have the same effect as neurotoxin. They affect the part in the brain where the neurotransmitter acetylcholine docks and disrupt the nervous system. Nerve cells are thus irreversibly damaged.

The biodegradation of neonicotinoids occurs very slowly: it can take up to 20 years in some soils until they are degraded halfway.