EPA study shows neonicotinoid pesticides really are killing off honeybees
by: Jennifer Lea Reynolds
NaturalNews.com
Friday, January 22, 2016
As if we need another reason to be very concerned about the harms of pesticides, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has come out with its first scientific risk assessment study[PDF] which explains just how detrimental they may be. The agency studied neonicotinoids – a specific class of pesticides – and assessed their impact on bees in particular.(1)
By now, most people are aware that bees are vital to a flourishing food supply. Without them, a great majority of our food would be jeopardized. As it currently stands, about one-third of the human diet comes from plants that are insect-pollinated. When you consider that the honeybee is responsible for 80 percent of that pollination, it’s important to be cognizant of what’s happening in their world, that will either hinder or help their population. Unfortunately, it appears that the key word in that sentence is “hinder,” since dangerous pesticides are a great threat to honeybees.(1)
Although the study makes it clear that “Multiple factors can influence the strength and survival of bees whether they are solitary or social,” it is obvious that neonicotinoid pesticides are jeopardizing the honeybee population. For example, the EPA’s assistant administrator for chemical safety and pollution prevention, Jim Jones, noted that the pesticide, imidacloprid, which is the most common neonicotinoid, can be detrimental. Over 25 parts per billion of that chemical is the magic number; if nectar brought back to the hive from worker bees exceeds that amount – which it has – Jones says that “there’s a significant effect,” that can lead to less honey, fewer bees, and “a less robust hive.”(1)
In addition to pesticides, other factors can lead to honeybee decline
The Rest…HERE
