Thursday, June 7, 2012

Honey Bee Health and Pesticides

Low levels of neonicotinoid pesticides can have significant effects on bee colonies according to research published in Science. Based on this research the European Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to compare the actual exposure of bees to neonicotinoids – as a result of their use as plant protection products in the EU – with the exposure levels used in the research.
Read the news release here.

From Science:

Henry, M., Beguin, M., Requier, F., Rollin, O., Odoux, J.-F., Aupinel, P., Aptel, J., Tchamitchian, S. and Decourtye, A. (2012): A common pesticide decreases foraging success and survival in honey bees.

Whitehorn, P.R., O’Connor, S., Wackers, F.L. and Goulson, D. (2012): Neonicotinoid pesticide reduces bumble bee colony growth and queen production.

Find out More
  • Statement on the findings in recent studies investigating sub-lethal effects in bees of some neonicotinoids in consideration of the uses currently authorised in Europe (html) (PDF)

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