Supermarket chain Co-op has become the first store to ban specific pesticides being used on products that may be causing the death of billions of bees all over the world. These pesticides have already been banned in some areas of Europe and are believed to have contributed to the sudden decline of bee populations.

Co-op has said that it will ban the pesticides until they are shown to be safe. They themselves have over 70 thousand acres of land that is cultivated in Europe, and are concerned about using products that could harm the bees. Recent studies have shown that one of the banned chemicals may be inhibiting the bee’s natural navigation systems. The Co-op is donating money for the research of these pesticides and doing what they can to stop the decline in the bee population.