NRDC Sues EPA Over Bee-Killing Pesticide
The US Environmental Protection Agency doesn't have much to say about their 2003 approval of a pesticide believed by some to kill honeybees. The EPA didn't respond to a request by the National Resources Defense Council for records relating to the approval. The NRDC also tried using the Freedom of Information Act to get the details, but were again ignored (which is illegal). So, the NRDC filed a lawsuit to get the documents. Now the EPA won't talk about that, either.
In 2003, the EPA gave Bayer CropScience the green light on the pesticide clothianidin. They only asked that the company submit studies regarding the possible chronic toxic exposure of honeybees to the chemical. The EPA's own fact sheet on clothianidan lists the substance as causing such toxicity in honeybees. Clearly, the company hoping to make millions from the pesticide would provide objective research (yes, that it sarcasm you hear). Regardless, nobody seems to know, or want to admit, whether or not Bayer CropScience ever bothered to submit these studies.
Consider the following:
- Both France and Germany suspended approval of the pesticide after it was linked to bee deaths.
- Researchers report finding neonicotinoids in the bees, wax, and brood of honeybees that succumbed to Colony Collapse Disorder; clothianidan is listed as a neonicotinoid chemical.
- In each of the past two years, American beekeepers report losses of over 30% of their honeybee colonies to Colony Collapse Disorder.
No one is saying that clothianidan is the magic bullet in the CCD mystery, but why take the risk? Why further stress the honeybees we have left, and take the chance on losing the pollinators that produce one third of our food crops?
Comments
The condition of the honeybees is one of those topics that just make you shake your head. This is truly one of those situations where no one will realize how much we need them until they are nearly gone.
I found out here the honey bees have gone. My nephew who works as a forest ranger called me up a few months and was complaining about all the bees. Apparently they are all in Idaho
I told him to take good care of them. My daughter and her sister in law are both encouraging Clover to grow in their yards inorder to feed California honey bees hoping they will return.