In recent winters, bees colony mortality in Europe has averaged about 20% (but up to 53% for some countries). In the US, the loss of 30-40% of commercial honeybee colonies since 2006 has been linked to "colony collapse disorder", a syndrome characterised by disappearing worker bees.
Without insect pollination, about one third of the crops we eat would either have to be pollinated by other means, or face considerably lower yields. In all, up to 75% of our crops would suffer some decrease in productivity. Undoubtedly, the most nutritious and interesting crops in our diet (including many key fruits and vegetables), together with some crops used as fodder in meat and dairy production, would be badly affected by a decline in insect pollinators.
And the problem could become even bigger as the world moves progressively towards growing more crops that are dependent on bee (and other insect) pollinators. So why are some policy-makers still trying to delay actions designed to save the farmer's smartest natural allies?
A significant first step
Last Monday Europe took a significant step in the right direction as a majority of EU member states voted for a partial ban of three bee-killer pesticides. After the fierce lobbying by the powerful pesticide industry, the vote was a vindication. The bee-killer companies have lost this battle; and the bees have won – for now! This is a success that environmentalists, beekeepers and the considerable amount of European citizens that got involved in the related campaigns can be proud of.
The decision still has to be formally confirmed by the European Commission. But it cannot ignore that there is overwhelming scientific, political and public support for a ban. Tonio Borg, EU Health and Consumer Commissioner already made clear that 'the Commission will go ahead with its text in the coming weeks', in light of the majority support from the member states in Monday's vote. Since member states failed to reach a qualified majority to either endorse or oppose a ban in two consecutive votes, the Commission now has the right move ahead on its own proposal.
This is good news for the bees and for the farmers of Europe. This EU-wide decision is the world's first region wide ban on bee-killer pesticides. It will restrict the use of three neonicotinoids (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiametoxam) for seed treatment, soil application (granules) and spray treatment on plants and cereals attractive to bees.
An incomplete ban
However, this is truly only a first step, as this ban is incomplete and full of potential flaws.
Firstly, it is only a temporary ban, and two years may not be enough to guarantee that the health of bees and other pollinators will improve. Secondly, the restrictions only apply to certain uses on crops: the ban is far from comprehensive. Thirdly, the neonicotinoids are very persistent and may have built up over the years in soils and be present in other plants visited by bees. Even uses of neonicotinoids in closed greenhouses have been associated with heavy concentrations in aquatic systems causing losses of aquatic insect biodiversity as evidenced by a recent Dutch study. So it is far from clear that even with the ban in place nectar and pollen will safe for bees and other insects.
In addition, more bee-harming pesticides need to be removed from the market. Greenpeace believes that the EU must go further and implement a wider ban covering all uses of neonicotinoids and all agricultural sectors rather than the limited action the EC has proposed.
Four of the seven are not neonicotinoids. Greenpeace is going to keep strongly campaigning to remove these pesticides from the market.
This would be a crucial first step to start a move away from the current chemically intensive agricultural system. Even then, only a shift to modern ecological farming practices can be the long-term solution to save the bees, and preserve European agriculture. Our work has only begun.
According to Greenpeace.org
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