Use of chemicals in Agriculture; how much is necessary.

Despite the fact that bee numbers are declining at an alarming rate, the UK government has tried to scupper the implementation of a two year ban on neonicotinoid pesticides. Research by scientists over recent years has found that the exposure of bees to neonicotinoids has been having a lethal effect on pollinators.

   The obstructive efforts by the British government hasn't prevented the European Union from introducing a two-year partial ban on neonicotinoids.. For more information see "Hive Mind:Talking with the man who may save Europe's Bees" by Aaron Gertler. This is an interview with Dave Goulson, a Professor of Biological Sciences and a conservationist. (Bumblebee Conservation Trust).

The way that bee numbers are declining is an indicator( that not even governments can continue to ignore), of the effect of agricultural chemicals on the vital ecology which our food production depends upon. The temporary ban of neonicotinoids is a step in the right direction but this is only a small part of the picture. Biologists and environmentalists have also expressed deep concern over the mix of pesticides that are being used in agriculture, otherwise referred to as the 'cocktail effect'.(for more info see www.pesticidescampaign.co.uk) Although individual chemicals are put through a degree of testing, little is known about the effect of the combinations of chemicals which are used in farming.



Over use of weedkiller.
All this is an urgent problem not just in Britain. Defra insists that farmers are doing a lot to create buffer zones for forage and habitat for wildlife and bees.This is good of course, but old habits die hard in intensive agriculture; I am referring to the practice of some farmers of spraying herbicides along those public rights of way which run through crops. This is unneccesary and surely against coshh regulations.

Another practice which seems lazy and unnecessary is the use of weedkiller along field edges and underneath orchard trees. Again not all farmers do this, so I assume it is just a quick but environmentally damaging way of keeping things under control.

To be fair to farmers, the overuse of weedkiller is also a sad fact in domestic gardens. eg spraying dandelions when a trowel would be a far better solution; I expect most people have seen the advert for a certain product on television. Considering everything, this is totally crazy.Many 'weeds' provide excellent food for bees.

Honeybees,Defra dithers, and denies, denies, denies.

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Top picture-neonicotinoid chemical structure and honeybees.

Second picture-organophosphate chemical structure and honeybees.

BIG QUESTION-

WHY IS THERE NO SERIOUS GOVERNMENT FUNDED RESEARCH INTO THE LINK BETWEEN THE HONEYBEE DECLINE AND PESTICIDES?

The bee die-off has become critical, and after a long period of complacency Defra has at last committed £4.3 million to “safeguard and undertake more research into the health of bees.” Despite this Defra still prefers to stress abnormally wet weather, coupled with the fungus Nosema as being the cause of bee deaths.
Whilst some private companies and beekeepers in Europe are making efforts to address the causes of the alarming bee decline, Defra continues to avoid the issue of pesticides.

Simon Press, the Co-op group senior technical manager, said that “We believe that the recent losses in bee populations need definitive action and as a result are temporarily prohibiting the eight neonicotinoid pesticides until we have evidence that refutes their involvement in the decline." Elliot Carnell, coordinator of Pesticide Action Network, said that the government had failed to recognize that “pesticides could be a contributing factor in the honeybees dramatic decline.” He claims "the government has fought against any attempts to protect bees which pollinate a third of the average diet.”

Last year the president of UNAAPI (the Union of Italian Beekeepers) claimed that a group of comparatively new pesticides, the neonicotinoids, were killing the bees. He said “These substances were irresponsibly authorised by public powers that bowed to pressure from the chemical industry.” (It is worth noting here that Italian beekeepers might feel less inhibited about criticizing their government than our beekeepers might criticise Defra, because they receive no type of aid from the State or the EU.)

A number of studies have linked neocotinoids to die-offs in bee colonies and also found that they are responsible for a breakdown of their navigational abilities. Germany banned the use of all neonicotinoid-based pesticides last year, and France imposed strict limits on their use on bee crops following mass die-offs in the 1990’s.

Despite these problems and the proven link between pesticides and bee deaths, Defra recently opposed the European Commission’s new rules to ban 15 percent of the most hazardous pesticides. Defra secretary of state Hilary Benn has confirmed that the government would be voting against the new pesticide rules when they come before the Agricultural Council for final agreement in March or April.

The president of the Union of Italian Beekeepers reference to pesticides- “These substances were irresponsibly authorized by public powers that bowed to the pressure from the chemical industry.” –could equally accurately be applied to the British government.