EU PROPOSED BAN TO NEONICOTINOIDS TO SAVE BEE POPULATION

EU PROPOSED BAN TO NEONICOTINOIDS TO SAVE BEE POPULATION

courtesy Rich Hatfield / Greatsunflower.org

Three Neonicotonoids, the most commonly used insectides could be banned in Europe if a proposed ban is passed.  The measure was brought forward in the effort to save bee population and to study what such ban would mean to the bee population and the study of the effects of the chemicals on the insect's declining numbers.

Environmentalists are hailing this as a ground breaking moment.  After much denial from the companies that produce the chemical, the proposal is a patent admission of the possible link between the use of the pesticides and declining bee population. 

Insects pollinate a third of all our food.  If they are wiped out, significant crop loss would ensue, and in some cases contribute greatly to instances of famine and food scarcity.  

The pesticides would be banned from use in corn, canola, sunflower crops and other cultivations across the European continent for two years.  With France and the Netherlands boldly behind the proposal, and Germany and the UK reluctant, the proposal might not be passed, but it still marks a  decisive step forward in the protection of the valuable insect. 

Some of the opponents claim that the proposal is a rush to action based on data that is not definitive, although there is mounting evidence to support the finding. The activist group Avaaz has collected 2.2 million signatures in support of the proposal and has presented it tot he European commission.

Unfortunately the immense losses that could derive from the destruction of the bee populations, are being minimized by efforts to underline the short term losses of farmers who could see a reduced crop yield if the pesticides are banned.   

That would be a case of penny wise, but pound foolish.  

The evidence presented from the studies is indeed pretty clear.  Bee populations exposed to the pesticides showed a decline of 85% of the queens in their hives and showed a doubling of the 'disappeared' bees who became lost while collecting pollen.

However, the European Food Safety Authority has unequivocally stated that the three neonicotinoids pose an unacceptable danger to the bee populations, a statement which was followed by their proposal to ban them.  The bans however would not be in effect in winter crops, since bees are not active at that time of the year.

Source : The Guardian 2.4.13