Sacrificing Bees on the Altar of Profit: A Criminological Critique of Neonicotinoid Use in New Zealand

Abstract

This thesis presents the case that use of neonicotinoid pesticide is an environmental crime. In 2018, the EU banned three types of neonicotinoids due to environmental harm they caused. My analysis investigates the underlying reasons that contribute to New Zealand's continued use of this pesticide while other jurisdictions have banned it. My work will show that neonicotinoids are harmful to New Zealand bee populations, and review the threat they pose to our wildlife and ecosystem. This thesis then uses social theories and frameworks from environmental sociology and criminology to evaluate underlying economic and ideological facts that have influenced New Zealand. The body of my work also analyses differences between the EU and New Zealand that have contributed to the different response to this issue. The purpose of this is to understand how environmentally harmful regimes, in the hope to later deconstruct and reform them. Finally, this thesis will conclude by framing neonicotinoid use as an environmental crime, using environmental criminology frameworks. This thesis uses four specific lenses to analyses the New Zealand, and EU case through. (1) Treadmill of Production theory allows us to see the influence of economic pressures, and will introduce the recurring notion of corporate oppression to this case. (2) Investigating how the environmental contributes to that national identity of EU and New Zealand citizens sheds light on the different public responses to neonicotinoid issues. (3) Acquiescence of toxicity theory helps investigate the global phenomenon of apathy towards pesticides, and how this has impacted New Zealand. (4) The production of ignorance highlights issues within the knowledge economy, issues surrounding the reproduction of harmful rhetoric around environmental issues. We are witnessing a potential turning point in the ecological history of our planet. Our society continues to use the environment to preserve itself, but does so unsustainably. Corporations, states and citizens alike subscribe to values and social systems that both exonerate any moral obligation we have to the planet and justify our unsustainable lifestyles. Through this thesis I hope to shed light on that particular case, and encourage New Zealand to reclaim an honest "clean and green" reality.