Target: Svenja Schulze, Environment Minister of Germany
Goal: Praise Germany for plans to ban toxic, cancer-causing glyphosate weed killer.
Germany has announced their intentions to phase out the heavily toxic glyphosate weed killer. A series of bans will take place over the next several years, from parks to orchards to grasslands and other wildlife-rich areas culminating in a full country-wide ban by the year 2023.
This is a major step forward for the European Union. Recent studies have shown that the chemical is partly responsible for the decline in various insects, including honeybees and butterflies. It causes cancer in humans via contamination of grain and other edible crops used to make many brand-name food products. Petitions such as this one have circulated, demanding the EU stop the use of this chemical.
Hopefully, Germany’s decision will encourage other members of the EU to follow suit, eventually leading to a full, union-wide ban of such chemicals in the future. Sign this petition to thank Germany for heeding the public’s concerns and stopping their use of this dangerous weed killer.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Environment Minister Schulze,
Thank you for your plans to phase out the use of glyphosate over the next several years. The chemical is responsible for many environmental problems, particularly the decline in honeybees and butterflies. It causes cancer in humans via contamination of grain and other food crops.
For years, EU farmers have been reluctant to stop their use of this weed killer, ignoring public concerns. Your decision to heed these concerns is a major step forward for the environment, in the fight to protect consumers and ensure the survival of insects across the continent. Thank you for the decision to stop the use of this harmful chemical.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Mike Mozart
