Bee Health and Pesticides

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• Publié par: the-european-crop-protection-association
• Nombre de lectures: 14
• Langue: English

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Bee Health and Pesticides

PR Newswire

BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 1, 2012

BRUSSELS, Belgium

,

June 1, 2012

/PRNewswire/ --

Industry supports EFSA conclusion on recent bee

health studies

ECPA supports scientific research into the field of bee health, but recent

research findings of Whitehorn and Henry(1) fails to account for the many

factors that impact bee and colony health in real life(2). These researchers

have applied unrealistic pesticide dose levels in many cases and have dosed

continuously bees in unrealistic environments over a long period of time that is

not representative of actual field situations in agriculture.

"Although interesting measures, like the tracking of bees with Radio-Frequency

Identification (RFID) devices have been introduced in the studies, EFSA is right

to argue that it is necessary to repeat the experiments with other exposure

levels and in other situations before being able to draw definitive conclusions" -

commented Friedhelm Schmider, Director General of European Crop Protection

Association (ECPA).

"The current risk assessment scheme has proven to be effective and it is

always considered good practice to regularly review and adapt in line with the

latest science available"-

he continued. ECPA looks forward to seeing the in-

depth review, due to be published in

December 2012

, on the effects of

neonicotinoids.

A clear distinction should also be made between individual incidents of honey

bee losses and general honey bee population decline. Individual incidences

have occurred due to inappropriate use of insecticides and the plant protection

industry is conducting a number of stewardship campaigns to prevent such

accidents in the future. However it needs to stressed that there is no

scientifically proven causal link between pesticide use and a general honey bee

population decline.

We need to remember that the cause of honeybee colony losses in

Europe

is

multi-factorial. "

It includes harmful parasites, climate change, habitat loss,

pollution, pesticides, disease, insufficient food and Invasive Alien Species. But it

is the parasitic Varroa mite that has been identified as the biggest specific

threat to honey bee populations. Further problems are caused by a lack of

appropriate foraging habitat in the modern agricultural landscape during some

summer periods. It is also important to note that colony losses do not occur

simultaneously across all regions of Europe, but are often prevalent in specific

regions only"- he said.

"The sustainability of modern agriculture, and indirectly, the crop protection

industry depends on the pollinating services provided by bees. We will continue

to work with all relevant stakeholders to understand and develop solutions to

the bee health problem"-

Friedhelm Schmider concluded.

<ends>

For the download link of the press release:

http://www.ecpa.eu/news-item/environmental-protection/06-01-2012/670/bee-

health-and-pesticides

Further points:

ECPA, the ambassador for the crop protection industry, recognises the importance of

bees and other pollinators as important components of healthy ecosystems and as

valuable contributors to the pollination of crops such as fruits, vegetables and nuts, and

therefore supports the need for appropriate risk assessment.

ECPA would like to support the need for addressing the health and welfare of

pollinators as important contributors to a productive and sustainable agriculture which is

facing the challenges of feeding an increasing global population while preserving

natural resources and enhancing biodiversity.

(1)Whitehorn et al 2012; Henry et al 2012

(2) http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/120601.htm?

WT.mc_id=RSS&emt=1

(3) See also: James E. Creswell 2010

http://www.farmlandbirds.net/sites/default/files/Creswell%20Bee%20Article%20(2).pdf

The European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) represents the crop

protection industry interests at European level. Its members include all major companies and national associations across Europe.

Contact:

Anna Seretny, Communications Coordinator, [e-mail]

Angel Martin, Governmental Affairs Manager, [e-mail]

Switchboard : [phone]

For more general information:

http://www.ecpa.eu - http://www.hungry4change.eu/ -

facebook.com/cropprotection - twitter.com/cropprotection