Unlike recent action in Europe, which placed a two-year ban on three neonicotinoid pesticides--imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam-- due to their toxicity to bees, EPA has yet to implement immediate, strong, and protective measures for pollinator health. Instead, EPA is focusing on short-term risk mitigation measures, such as reducing contaminated field dust, which aligns with the pesticide industry's focus. "EPA is working on advancing new equipment, releasing new formulations, and label standards," said Mr. Jones, "New planting technology"should be widely available next year." The agency continues to dismiss scientific evidence of the acute and chronic toxicity of neonicotinoids and other pesticides on bees and other pollinators, and instead focuses on technological stopgap measures. Beekeepers and environmentalists have said that EPA has yet to uphold the "unreasonable adverse effect on the environment" standard, which it is required under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
In lieu of immediate, strong, and precautionary measures, the report recommends improving "best management practices," which do not question either the use of pesticides or recognize the availability and success of organic management practices. The new restrictions across Europe suggest that EPA consider moving beyond writing meeting reports on honey bee health and adopt actual restrictions of pesticides that peer-reviewed science has tied to pollinator decline nationwide.
The article from which the above is taken is at:
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/?p=10425
The article also has a link to where interested readers can work towards helping the situation with the bees. Much of this is regarding what to do in one's own "back yard" to help. In my opinion, true change needs to happen with us!
If this is of concern to you, please take action in your back yard and in your politics.
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