Current Events for Your Homeschool: The EU and Bees

Every week in our newsletter, we feature a family-friendly current event to help your kids cultivate the habits of great citizens. We call this Hot Chocolate and Current Events because we believe that chocolate—in any form—can help facilitate enthusiasm for learning! 

This week, we’re headed to Europe to discuss the European Union’s highest court and bees. What do the two have to do with each other?

Neonicotinoids are chemicals used in agriculture. In an attempt to protect crops, these chemicals also kill insects. The European Union is a political and economic organization of 28 member states. 

First, read this report from the BBC. 

Second, find Luxembourg on a map (it’s where the ECJ is headquartered).

Next, answer the following discussion questions. 

• First, have students discuss where they see bees. Why are bees necessary and useful?
• Why has the EU decided to ban neonicotinoids?
• Why do you think Bayer and Sygenta challenged the ban?
• If bees aren’t able to pollinate, what effects might that have?
• If you could ask a question about one of the “scientific studies,” what would it be?
• Which people and groups do you think favor the ban? Which people and groups do not favor the ban, in your opinion?
• Do you think farmers are for or against the ban?
• What do you think of the EU’s “precautionary principle,” which allows restrictions on chemicals even when there might not be conclusive evidence of harm?
• If you were an ECJ judge, how would you rule?

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