While evidence of the detrimental impact of systemic pesticides mounts, many beekeepers and independent scientists wonder why U.S. regulators have not suspended or banned their use.
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Bee - News and Opinion
Is the massive honeybee die off a canary in the coal mine telling us that the pesticide treadmill, as our current state of agriculture has come to be known, is short sighted and dangerous? 
While massive bee die offs have been occurring for more than half a decade, the connection between colony collapse disorder and pesticides, particularly serious concern about systemic pesticides, has been downplayed by the EPA and the industry. 
It’s hard to imagine American agriculture without bees and, yet, we may be seeing the end of beekeeping following years of mysterious collapses of honey bee colonies in the United States and the world. 
At last there seems to be an answer to the honeybee disappearance mystery. A virus-fungus one-two punch is now the lead suspect behind honeybee devastation. However, additional studies are needed to determine to determine the exact mechanisms leading to honeybee deaths. 
A 13-state survey of honey bee pests and diseases that will help USDA scientists to determine the factors that may be contributing to the decline of honey bee colonies nationwide. 
Recent research from USDA points to a correlation between a fungus and a family of viruses that may be working together to cause the Colony Collapse Disorder in honeybees. Many still believe, however, that other causes such as pesticide use in agriculture and GMOs that produce pesticides, also play a role in the collapse. |
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