Bee Grateful To Them
Neonicotinoids - heard of them?
Nicotine-based pesticides have been banned and un-banned since 2013. Now, there's chance for a re-ban as a new study emerges. These 'neonics' have been in use for over 30 years and the results of studies are extremely varied; some saying neonics have no affect on bees, others say that bee colonies will die because of their use. Could this study finally give us some answers to rely on?
Well, no. Biology is nowhere near as straight-forward as the textbooks make it out to be.
The £2.7m study was funded by 2 agrochemical companies. This alone makes me question the reliability of the data. Nonetheless, funding has to come from somewhere and at least one company could call out the other should any fraudulent activity occur.
Sample tests of neonic impacts on bees only occurred on patches of oil-seed rape in Hungary, Germany and the UK. Different test patches were at a great spatial distance to almost guarantee that populations did not use more than one site. I find this approach is necessary in order to control variables, despite it lacking representation of all countries and all crops. This is the first ever trial to take tests in normal fields with normal farming practices - perhaps it is the most reliable yet.
Next come the weird results - the source of controversy.
Firstly, in Hungary and the UK, the use of neonics produced negative effects, particularly over the Winter period where the number of worker bees decreased by almost a quarter in Hungary on average.
The peculiar results are seen in Germany where neonics potentially have 'positive' effects on honeybees and bumblebees.
Hold up.
What is going on?
An explanation has been suggested based on the analysis of pollen from different populations.
In Hungary and the UK, the pollen of bee populations is made up of around 40-50% oil seed rape. In contrast, German pollen contains only about 10%. This suggests German bees' tastes are less keen on the oil seed rape and thus are exposed to lower concentrations of the neonics.
In addition, German bees are generally healthier (before exposure to pesticides). Perhaps their stronger immune system is what increases their resistance to harmful neonics and, potentially, gives them benefits.
Another result of the study found that high concentrations of these pesticides also affected species in different ways in the reproductive cycle for example, solitary bees produce fewer eggs whereas honey bees produce fewer queens.
The study also found that cross-contamination of neonics does occur into wild flower populations. This was backed-up by a previous study of neonic use and its impact on bees concerning wheat. Wheat is a crop that isn't pollinated by bees however, bee populations weakened whilst neonics were used on wheat crop. This shows us that no matter how the pesticide is applied, local bees will still be affected.
So what does this all mean?
It's hard to establish cold, hard facts from the study. Results can, once again, be argued on both sides. There is, once again, no single definite 'truth' to any theories or ideas.
We can only make decisions on a case-by-case basis. Perhaps introduce German bees to other populations, increasing the strength of all bees through the power of genes.
Perhaps Germany would benefit from using neonics, if so, why should they be denied such medicine?
What I take from this is that every situation is different. We can't wait around for a global concensus on controversies, nor can we sign pledges asking for fast, instant action once a theory's suggested if we don't know exactly what we subscribe our name to. We can thoroughly analyse each piece of evidence without rushing to conclusions. Yes, I do believe that quick changes are necessary if a threat is suspected however, we must do so with care and respect for our ecosystem because chemicals can replace chemicals and truths can be stretched into the spectrum of lies.
In the meantime, we know there are cleaner, more bee-friendly methods of growing crops which you can support by buying organic produce or simply growing your own - benefitting your bank balance and wellbeing! We can save the bees and in doing so, save ourselves.
We will find a balance in the world once we realise our significance in the ecosystem.
H _ M
:)
Bibliography:
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nicotine-based-pesticides-do-harm-bees-major-study-concludes-leading-to-calls-for-complete-ban-a7815371.html
https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2017/07/06/harmful-beneficial-no-effect-flawed-european-bees-neonicotinoids-study-misused-support-ban/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p056lfh6
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonicotinoid
http://bumblebeeconservation.org/about-bees/identification/
https://www.cropscience.bayer.com/en/blogs/corporate-blog/2017/martin-gruss-spotlight-on-seed-applied-neonicotinoids
https://www.foe.co.uk/blog/why-bee-harming-pesticides-must-be-banned-wheat-too
Nicotine-based pesticides have been banned and un-banned since 2013. Now, there's chance for a re-ban as a new study emerges. These 'neonics' have been in use for over 30 years and the results of studies are extremely varied; some saying neonics have no affect on bees, others say that bee colonies will die because of their use. Could this study finally give us some answers to rely on?
Well, no. Biology is nowhere near as straight-forward as the textbooks make it out to be.
The £2.7m study was funded by 2 agrochemical companies. This alone makes me question the reliability of the data. Nonetheless, funding has to come from somewhere and at least one company could call out the other should any fraudulent activity occur.
 |
| Bee varieties typically found in Europe http://bumblebeeconservation.org/about-bees/identification/ |
Sample tests of neonic impacts on bees only occurred on patches of oil-seed rape in Hungary, Germany and the UK. Different test patches were at a great spatial distance to almost guarantee that populations did not use more than one site. I find this approach is necessary in order to control variables, despite it lacking representation of all countries and all crops. This is the first ever trial to take tests in normal fields with normal farming practices - perhaps it is the most reliable yet.
Next come the weird results - the source of controversy.
Firstly, in Hungary and the UK, the use of neonics produced negative effects, particularly over the Winter period where the number of worker bees decreased by almost a quarter in Hungary on average.
The peculiar results are seen in Germany where neonics potentially have 'positive' effects on honeybees and bumblebees.
Hold up.
What is going on?
An explanation has been suggested based on the analysis of pollen from different populations.
In Hungary and the UK, the pollen of bee populations is made up of around 40-50% oil seed rape. In contrast, German pollen contains only about 10%. This suggests German bees' tastes are less keen on the oil seed rape and thus are exposed to lower concentrations of the neonics.
In addition, German bees are generally healthier (before exposure to pesticides). Perhaps their stronger immune system is what increases their resistance to harmful neonics and, potentially, gives them benefits.
Another result of the study found that high concentrations of these pesticides also affected species in different ways in the reproductive cycle for example, solitary bees produce fewer eggs whereas honey bees produce fewer queens.
The study also found that cross-contamination of neonics does occur into wild flower populations. This was backed-up by a previous study of neonic use and its impact on bees concerning wheat. Wheat is a crop that isn't pollinated by bees however, bee populations weakened whilst neonics were used on wheat crop. This shows us that no matter how the pesticide is applied, local bees will still be affected.
 |
| Agricultural practices - could they be the source of the bee collapse? https://www.cropscience.bayer.com/en/blogs/corporate-blog/2017/martin-gruss-spotlight-on-seed-applied-neonicotinoids |
It's hard to establish cold, hard facts from the study. Results can, once again, be argued on both sides. There is, once again, no single definite 'truth' to any theories or ideas.
We can only make decisions on a case-by-case basis. Perhaps introduce German bees to other populations, increasing the strength of all bees through the power of genes.
Perhaps Germany would benefit from using neonics, if so, why should they be denied such medicine?
What I take from this is that every situation is different. We can't wait around for a global concensus on controversies, nor can we sign pledges asking for fast, instant action once a theory's suggested if we don't know exactly what we subscribe our name to. We can thoroughly analyse each piece of evidence without rushing to conclusions. Yes, I do believe that quick changes are necessary if a threat is suspected however, we must do so with care and respect for our ecosystem because chemicals can replace chemicals and truths can be stretched into the spectrum of lies.
In the meantime, we know there are cleaner, more bee-friendly methods of growing crops which you can support by buying organic produce or simply growing your own - benefitting your bank balance and wellbeing! We can save the bees and in doing so, save ourselves.
We will find a balance in the world once we realise our significance in the ecosystem.
H _ M
:)
Bibliography:
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nicotine-based-pesticides-do-harm-bees-major-study-concludes-leading-to-calls-for-complete-ban-a7815371.html
https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2017/07/06/harmful-beneficial-no-effect-flawed-european-bees-neonicotinoids-study-misused-support-ban/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p056lfh6
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neonicotinoid
http://bumblebeeconservation.org/about-bees/identification/
https://www.cropscience.bayer.com/en/blogs/corporate-blog/2017/martin-gruss-spotlight-on-seed-applied-neonicotinoids
https://www.foe.co.uk/blog/why-bee-harming-pesticides-must-be-banned-wheat-too
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