Frank Rumpenhorst/AFP/Getty Images

While the war being waged over strawberry fumigant methyl iodide that we’ve been following came to an abrupt end, a new pesticide debate is heating up.

Just this week, beekeepers and environmentalists came together and filed a petition with more than one million signatures asking the EPA to ban the use of pesticide clothianidin. Petitioners claim harm the bees, often lethally.

"The future of beekeeping faces numerous threats, including from clothianidin, and we need to take steps to protect pollinators and the livelihood of beekeepers," said co-petitioner Steve Ellis of Old Mill Honey Co in a press release.

As reported in Business Week, the beekeepers say that the pesticide cripples the immune system of the bees, ultimately leading to colony collapse disorder, where all adult honeybees die or simply disappear.

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Honeylove

Honeylove's pressing council by council for legalized beekeeping.

Last night, Silver Lake joined the growing ranks of L.A.'s neighborhood councils that favor legalized beekeeping. Mar Vista, Del Rey, Greater Griffith Park, South Robertson, and Silver Lake have each now signed on to resolutions supporting "the legalization of urban beekeeping in Los Angeles and urges all City of Los Angeles Council Members to direct the City Planning Department to revise codes to allow residents to keep honeybees as part of an effort to ensure the survival of this vital species."

In its statement of support, the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council cited "increased pollination of backyard fruit trees, a healthier environment and a microbusiness opportunity for Los Angeles residents." Reason against: "Approximately 2 percent of the population has the susceptibility to anaphylactic shock caused by bee venom which can be life threatening and necessitate emergency treatment."

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