Are bees in peril from neonicotionoids? Farmer evidence challenges doomsayers

Bill Crabtree and Robert Wager | August 10, 2016 | Genetic Literacy Project

The “Bee-pocalypse” has been cancelled. Global bee populations are rising and are now near historic highs. In Canada, the bee populations are up 13 percent since 2011, from 637,920 colonies to 721,106 in 2015. While there are serious threats to bees, we assert that the use of neonicotinoid pesticides (or neonics) in agriculture is not one of them. Continued focus on neonics by environmental groups detracts from and potentially worsens real threats to bees. 

Neonic pesticides are synthetic compounds based on the natural compound nicotine. They have been widely used since the mid 1990’s. They have low toxicity to birds and mammals but insects are extremely sensitive to their effects.  Bee-pocalypse was falsely alleged to be a result of neonic use in agriculture. Supposedly causing colony collapse disorder (CCD).

This wild suggestion began in 2010 when “activist scientists” in Europe began targeting neonics with the goal of getting its class of insecticide banned. In 2013, they were successful in getting the EU to ban agricultural use of neonic for two years. That ban is still in place, despite the evidence. David Zaruk wrote a series of articles that give details of this group’s activity......To Read More....