Controversy Deepens Over Pesticides and Bee Collapse

[MindMover]

A controversial new study of honeybee deaths has deepened a bitter dispute over whether the developed world’s most popular pesticides are causing an ecological catastrophe.

Researchers led by biologist Chensheng Lu of Harvard University report a direct link between hive health and dietary exposure to imidacloprid, a so-called neonicotinoid pesticide linked to colony collapse disorder, the mysterious and massive die-off of bees across North America and Europe.

The study isn’t without critics, who say doses used in the study may be unrealistically high. But the level of a realistic dose is also a matter of controversy, and even critics say the findings are troubling.

“Our result replicates colony collapse disorder as a result of pesticide exposures,” said Lu, who specializes in environmental exposures to pesticides. “We need to look at our agriculture policy and see if what we’re doing now is sustainable.”

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/04/neonicotinoids-colony-collapse/?

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Remember, it only hurts bees......

[DCBob]

1. I used to do R&D for an Ag Chem company.

This is hardly surprising. Toxic pesticide residues can easily concentrate in flower nectar of plants that have been treated. Of course the industry will fight this as it could cost them billions in lost sales if there are restrictions or bans imposed. Hopefully they wont be able push this under the rug as this is a serious problem.

[Trillo]

3. I disagree.

Industry has made a pattern of withdrawing something, and making more money from a smaller supply. For example, consider freon. When I was a kid, you could buy it, cheap, at auto parts stores. Last I heard, some 5 years ago or so, R-12 was over $200 per soft-drink size can. All the freons require a special license, they didn't before. We never did hear if the ozone hole was fixed, as a result. It seems to me that if it had been, it would have been blasted all over.

My point is, industry doesn't take losses, as you've explained them. What happens is supply shrinks, price goes up to compensate, thus costs are shifted to the poorest. Industry doesn't care at the higher levels of finance and banking. Special licenses will be created, creating a new 1% with access, everyone else pays. Industry won't be harmed.

We already see how 1 cc of 9%, enough to treat a cat, costs $10 or thereabouts. That's imadicloprid. It's also used for termite control in homes. Notice how homes aren't tented much anymore? Termites can't detect the stuff, so they chew right through it, and they die. Of course, it needs to be injected into the studs, and under the foundation.


If it's imadicloprid, the poor folks won't be able to buy it anymore, and use it without paying someone with a special license to use on their homes for termite control.

If the bees really are endangered by this chemical, then it needs to be banned. But, will the "fixed ozone hole" to use a metaphor be fixed? Or will we simply be looking at the GMOs and the wireless communications said to interfere with bees navigation, as the next thing to ban?

Are we simply seeing Problem, Crisis, Solution, just to screw the poor?

[BootinUp]

4. Takes time for nature to recover

no question that it will though once the chemicals that cause the damage are reduced or eliminated. There have been recent reports that the ozone holes have been observed to be shrinking. Estimates are that it will take 50 years for the cfc chemicals already up there to fall back to 1979 levels.

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2000/ast02oct_1/

[DCBob]

5. if a chemical is banned or restricted it means the company cant sell it which means they lose money.

If there are alternatives then those could be more expensive as competition is reduced. Is that what u mean?

[handmade34]

6. the poor don't need pesticides

and the pesticides are killing our bees and all the good they do... there is nothing more important than our environment as it is our lifeblood and right now we are commiting a slow (though quickening) suicide by exploiting our natural resources and favoring profit over people and the earth...

...and yes, GMOs must go and we need to look at wireless communication

...and yes, I have what some people call radical views, but the truth is I no longer care what people call me or how they try to make rationalizations or excuses... there will be nothing left for my grand-children if we keep manipulating at this pace...

[Trillo]

7. Seriously? "The poor don't need pesticides"?

I wonder what kind of a result that statement would have with a kid in school who has head lice. Perhaps your comment was made in a moment of emotion, and you didn't think it through. Or perhaps you just think this is all fun and games, screwing the poor for sport.

My point is that a complete ban is unlikely, like with the freon, which remained available to a few users, but not all prior users. Industry changed their freon compositions, spawning whole new air conditioning designs that were compatible with the newer freons, as the newer freons wouldn't work in older systems. Oh, you don't have enough money to buy a new car? Can't afford a several thousand dollar system retrofit (instead of a $2.00 can of freon)? Tough...

Personally, I don't think that imadicloprid should be used on plants of any kinds, as I'm sure it alters the soil's microbial population dynamics, and I've personally found that organic agriculture is superior to chemical ag, and organics is based on soil microorganisms. A replacement for Advantage for pets is apparently already available, and its even more expensive! What about termites? Well, maybe we'll see the tents return again, and there will be $25000 fumigation contracts, whom only a very few, the 1%, can afford to pay for with cash.

Oh, you didn't buy termite insurance KaChing.... The big financial outfits and the real 1% won't see any harm from a ban.

Will it fix the alleged bee declines? Can you guarantee that? Or is this one of those "best guesses from the best minds" money can buy? What if it doesn't work, what will you offer all those harmed financially by its banning? Your blood? Your home? A check for 0.00001% of the actual financial harm caused, made out to each of us?

[lunasun]

2. beekepers told me this a while ago and after I left the area I thought about the

way it could be a complete fall .
Now valid reports published are in main street news -sad as it is that is at least progress as more folks become aware of what is going on and why .

. How folks can go up against big Chem corps in US is another atory but if you read the article they have done some work in some of Europe - of course they have also banned GMOs there which will be hard to do in US, so it can be done but big Ag wont help it come about here in US
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The first reports of colony collapse disorder came in the mid-2000s from commercial beekeepers, who depending on region have experienced colony losses ranging from 30 to 90 percent. Commercial pollination costs have since skyrocketed, and as wild bees are also afflicted, even naturally occurring pollination is threatened.

Some European countries, including France, Germany and Italy, have even banned neonicotinoids, though pesticide companies vehemently defend their ecological safety and say concerns are based on inconclusive and premature science.

'K then guess we will see.........