ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the struggle to restrict neonicotinoids, which as has galvanized public attention in North America and Europe. While the ban in Europe and the partial ban in Ontario, Canada seemed like victories, I argue that the central role played by agrochemical corporations in both struggles diluted and delayed the resulting legislation. Agrochemical corporations also launched organized campaigns during this time that attempted to present the industrial agriculture sector as concerned about the flourishing bees with websites such as Bees Matter and pollinator seed giveaways such as Cheerios’ #Bringbackthebees. This bee-washing practice attempts to cast agrochemical corporations as part of the solution to the bee crisis in order to weaken critiques of their products and practices and to foster complacency about the prospects for private sector solutions.
