Pesticides Could be Decimating Bees in UK

The bee population the world over is nose-diving for sometime now. In Britain the problem could be traced partly to widespread use of nenicotinoids.

The bee population the world over is nose-diving for sometime now. In Britain the problem could be traced partly to widespread use of nenicotinoids, a “systemic chemical” used in some types of pesticide, experts say.

Such pesticides are already restricted for use in much of Europe including France and Germany after beekeepers claimed the chemical was killing honey bees.

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But in the UK neonicotinoids are found in products including Chinook, used on oilseed rape and Bayer UK 720, that is used in the production of pot plants, say insect research charity Buglife and the Soil Association say. Eventually then the problematic chemical ends up in gardens and homes around the country.

The new study brought together a number of peer-reviewed pieces of research. It concluded that neonicotinoid pesticide damages the health and life cycle of bees over the long term by affecting the nervous system.

"[Neonicotinoids] may be a significant factor contributing to current bee declines and could also contribute to declines in other non-target invertebrate species," the report read.

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Matt Shardlow, chief executive of Buglife, called for a ban on the pesticides.

“Other countries have already introduced bans to prevent neonicotinoids from harming bees," he said. “This is the most comprehensive review of the scientific evidence yet and it has revealed the disturbing amount damage these poisons can cause."

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The study also looked at the approval process for pesticides in the UK. It concluded that there are not enough tests to look at the long term effects on insects that are not pests.

Peter Melchett, Director of the Soil Association, said pesticides were causing a continued decline in pollinating insects, risking a multimillion pound farming industry.

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“The UK is notorious for taking the most relaxed approach to pesticide safety in the EU; Buglife’s report shows that this puts at risk pollination services vital for UK agriculture”, he said.

However Dr Julian Little of pesticide manufacturer Bayer CropScience, said pesticides are not approved unless it is found they have no effects on insects like bees, Telegraph reported.

"When it comes to bee health, pesticides are not the problem, disease is," he said.

Buglife will be presenting the report to Michael Jacobs, the Prime Minister’s Special Advisor on Environmental Issues, at a bee summit at Number 10 Downing Street.

Source-Medindia
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