The BeeHolder, April 2011

Gordon Banks, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire has submitted an 'Early Day Motion' to the House of Commons to ban all Neo-Nicotinoid Pesticides from use in the UK. This follows hot on the heels of the Avaaz petition to ban neonicotinoids in Europe and America. It all seems to be based on unpublished research in America but has obviously opened up the debate once more.

The EDM is quoted below and you may wish to write to your MP in support of this motion.

IMPACT OF NEONICOTINOID PESTICIDES ON BEES AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES 12.01.2011

“That this House is gravely concerned by the contents of a recently leaked memo from the US Environment Protection Agency whose scientists warn that bees and other non-target invertebrates are at risk from a new neonicotinoid pesticide and that tests in the US approval process are insufficient to detect the environmental damage caused; acknowledges that these findings reflect the conclusions of a 2009 `Buglife' report that identified similar inadequacies in the European approval regime with regard to neonicotinoids; notes reports that bee populations have soared in four European countries that have banned these chemicals; and therefore calls on the Government to act urgently to suspend all existing approvals for products containing neonicotinoids and fipronil pending more exhaustive tests and the development of international methodologies for properly assessing the long-term effects of systemic pesticides on invertebrate populations.“

Buglife have produced a draft letter which is available on their website and the website for the Avaaz petition is here. Clearly, the sooner the American research is published the better!

Theresa Simkin

picture by courtesy of Helen Hastings

Statement from the BBKA on Neonicotinoid Pesticides

The BBKA shares the concerns expressed relating to reports of possible harm to honey bees that may be caused by the neonicotinoid group of pesticides. It calls for an urgent review of all the available data on the effects of these compounds. The BBKA has consistently urged for more research into this group of compounds as evidenced in its paper Honey Bee Health Research Concepts (Jan 2009) and earlier papers submitted to Government. The BBKA itself is funding research on pesticide residues in bee colonies at Keele University.

This urgent review, based not only on existing literature but also encompassing any new and as yet unpublished data, should involve a thorough re-evaluation and up to date risk assessment of these agents and their effects on honey bees by the Chemicals Regulation Directorate in the UK and competent European authorities, the outcome of which must lead to appropriate action.

Martin Smith
President
24th January 2011