Boerenlandvogels – WP

Auteur: Henk Tennekes

Kabinet kijkt opnieuw naar verbod neonicotinoiden

Staatssecretaris Dijksma van Economische Zaken kijkt opnieuw naar de mogelijkheden om de inzet van neonicotinoïden te verbieden. Dat zegde zij op 4 december toe in reactie op een actieplan van de Partij voor de Dieren. Tweede Kamerlid Esther Ouwehand presenteerde het plan omdat een eerder aangenomen motie om deze bestrijdingsmiddelen te verbieden niet wordt uitgevoerd, door het kabinet. Van neonicotinoïden wordt verondersteld dat zij schade toebrengen aan de bijen- en vogelstand. Een meerderheid in de Tweede Kamer steunde eerder een motie om de toelating van neonicotinoïden in te trekken. Dijksma meende deze motie niet te kunnen uitvoeren vanwege de manier waarop het toelatingsbeleid voor gewasbeschermingsmiddelen in de Europese Unie is georganiseerd. Zij vreesde dat zij een eventuele juridische procedure van de leveranciers van de middelen niet zou kunnen winnen.

Staatssecretaris Dijksma van Economische Zaken kijkt opnieuw naar de mogelijkheden om de inzet van neonicotinoïden te verbieden. Dat zegde zij op 4 december toe in reactie op een actieplan van de Partij voor de Dieren. Tweede Kamerlid Esther Ouwehand presenteerde het plan omdat een eerder aangenomen motie om deze bestrijdingsmiddelen te verbieden niet wordt uitgevoerd, door het kabinet. Van neonicotinoïden wordt verondersteld dat zij schade toebrengen aan de bijen- en vogelstand. Een meerderheid in de Tweede Kamer steunde eerder een motie om de toelating van neonicotinoïden in te trekken. Dijksma meende deze motie niet te kunnen uitvoeren vanwege de manier waarop het toelatingsbeleid voor gewasbeschermingsmiddelen in de Europese Unie is georganiseerd. Zij vreesde dat zij een eventuele juridische procedure van de leveranciers van de middelen niet zou kunnen winnen.

In het actieplan dat Ouwehand tijdens het debat in de Tweede Kamer over bestrijdingsmiddelen overhandigde, wordt gesteld dat de Nederlandse regering wel maatregelen kan treffen gebaseerd op het voorzorgsbeginsel. Volgens Ouwehand is dat onvoldoende onderzocht. Dijksma beloofde de door de Partij voor de Dieren gepresenteerde oplossingen serieus te bestuderen en komt met een reactie op het stuk.

Zie voor meer informatie het Actieplan uitvoering aangenomen moties Partij voor de Dieren over bestrijdingsmiddelen.

Bron: Partij voor de Dieren, 05/12/14 & Groene Ruimte
http://www.groeneruimte.nl/nieuws/artikel.html?id=165263

09/12/2014
An Overview Comparing Results from Two Decades of Monitoring for Pesticides in the Nation’s Streams and Rivers, 1992–2001 and 2002–2011

This report provides an overview of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment program and National Stream Quality Accounting Network findings for pesticide occurrence in U.S. streams and rivers during 2002–11 and compares them to findings for the previous decade (1992–2001). In addition, pesticide stream concentrations were compared to Human Health Benchmarks (HHBs) and chronic Aquatic Life Benchmarks (ALBs). The comparisons between the decades were intended to be simple and descriptive. Trends over time are being evaluated separately in a series of studies involving rigorous trend analysis. During both decades, one or more pesticides or pesticide degradates were detected more than 90 percent of the time in streams across all types of land uses. For individual pesticides during 2002–11, atrazine (and degradate, deethylatrazine), carbaryl, fipronil (and degradates), metolachlor, prometon, and simazine were detected in streams more than 50 percent of the time. In contrast, alachlor, chlorpyrifos, cyanazine, diazinon, EPTC, Dacthal, and tebuthiuron were detected less frequently in streams during the second decade than during the first decade.

This report provides an overview of the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment program and National Stream Quality Accounting Network findings for pesticide occurrence in U.S. streams and rivers during 2002–11 and compares them to findings for the previous decade (1992–2001). In addition, pesticide stream concentrations were compared to Human Health Benchmarks (HHBs) and chronic Aquatic Life Benchmarks (ALBs). The comparisons between the decades were intended to be simple and descriptive. Trends over time are being evaluated separately in a series of studies involving rigorous trend analysis. During both decades, one or more pesticides or pesticide degradates were detected more than 90 percent of the time in streams across all types of land uses. For individual pesticides during 2002–11, atrazine (and degradate, deethylatrazine), carbaryl, fipronil (and degradates), metolachlor, prometon, and simazine were detected in streams more than 50 percent of the time. In contrast, alachlor, chlorpyrifos, cyanazine, diazinon, EPTC, Dacthal, and tebuthiuron were detected less frequently in streams during the second decade than during the first decade.

During 2002–11, only one stream had an annual mean pesticide concentration that exceeded an HHB. In contrast, 17 percent of agriculture land-use streams and one mixed land-use stream had annual mean pesticide concentrations that exceeded HHBs during 1992–2001. The difference between the first and second decades in terms of percent of streams exceeding HHBs was attributed to regulatory changes. During 2002–11, nearly two-thirds of agriculture land-use streams and nearly one-half of mixed land-use streams exceeded chronic ALBs. For urban land use, 90 percent of the streams exceeded a chronic ALB. Fipronil, metolachlor, malathion, cis-permethrin, and dichlorvos exceeded chronic ALBs for more than 10 percent of the streams. For agriculture and mixed land-use streams, the overall percent of streams that exceeded a chronic ALB was very similar between the decades. For urban land-use streams, the percent of streams exceeding a chronic ALB during 2002–11 nearly doubled that seen during 1992–2001. The reason for this difference was the inclusion of fipronil monitoring during the second decade. Across all land-use streams, the percent of streams exceeding a chronic ALB for fipronil during 2002–11 was greater than all other insecticides during both decades. The percent of streams exceeding a chronic ALB for metolachlor, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, malathion, and carbaryl decreased from the first decade to the second decade. The results of the 2002–11 summary and comparison to 1992–2001 are consistent with the results from more rigorous trend analysis of pesticide stream concentrations for individual streams in various regions of the U.S.

Source:
Stone, W.W., Gilliom, R.J., and Martin, J.D., 2014, An overview comparing results from two decades of monitoring for pesticides in the Nation’s streams and rivers, 1992–2001 and 2002–2011: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2014–5154, 23 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20145154.

09/12/2014
Pesticides in U.S. Streams and Rivers: Occurrence and Trends during 1992–2011

During the 20 years from 1992 to 2011, pesticides were found at concentrations that exceeded aquatic-life benchmarks in many rivers and streams that drain agricultural, urban, and mixed-land use watersheds. Overall, the proportions of assessed streams with one or more pesticides that exceeded an aquatic-life benchmark were very similar between the two decades for agricultural (69% during 1992−2001 compared to 61% during 2002−2011) and mixed-land-use streams (45% compared to 46%). Urban streams, in contrast, increased from 53% during 1992−2011 to 90% during 2002−2011, largely because of fipronil and dichlorvos. The potential for adverse effects on aquatic life is likely greater than these results indicate because potentially important pesticide compounds were not included in the assessment. Human-health benchmarks were much less frequently exceeded, and during 2002−2011, only one agricultural stream and no urban or mixed-land-use streams exceeded human-health benchmarks for any of the measured pesticides. Widespread trends in pesticide concentrations, some downward and some upward, occurred in response to shifts in use patterns primarily driven by regulatory changes and introductions of new pesticides.

During the 20 years from 1992 to 2011, pesticides were found at concentrations that exceeded aquatic-life benchmarks in many rivers and streams that drain agricultural, urban, and mixed-land use watersheds. Overall, the proportions of assessed streams with one or more pesticides that exceeded an aquatic-life benchmark were very similar between the two decades for agricultural (69% during 1992−2001 compared to 61% during 2002−2011) and mixed-land-use streams (45% compared to 46%). Urban streams, in contrast, increased from 53% during 1992−2011 to 90% during 2002−2011, largely because of fipronil and dichlorvos. The potential for adverse effects on aquatic life is likely greater than these results indicate because potentially important pesticide compounds were not included in the assessment. Human-health benchmarks were much less frequently exceeded, and during 2002−2011, only one agricultural stream and no urban or mixed-land-use streams exceeded human-health benchmarks for any of the measured pesticides. Widespread trends in pesticide concentrations, some downward and some upward, occurred in response to shifts in use patterns primarily driven by regulatory changes and introductions of new pesticides.

Source:
WW Stone et al. Environ. Sci. Technol., 2014, 48 (19), pp 11025–11030
DOI: 10.1021/es5025367
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es5025367

09/12/2014
Heftiger Artenschwund in Europas Gewässern

Die EU-Kommission meldet “alarmierende Verlustzahlen” für Tier- und Pflanzenarten in Europa. Besonders schlecht steht es demnach um die Süßwasserfische sowie Schnecken, Muscheln und andere Weichtiere. Die Zahlen zeigten, “dass die europäischen Süßwasserökosysteme in der Tat ernsthaft bedroht sind und dringend Erhaltungsmaßnahmen erforderlich sind”, warnte Annabelle Cuttelod von der Weltnaturschutzunion (IUCN), die jährlich die Rote Liste der gefährdeten Arten veröffentlicht. Für die europäische Ausgabe wurde den Angaben zufolge mit rund 6000 Arten ein “erheblicher Teil” der in Europa heimischen Fauna und Flora untersucht.In der Roten Liste sind 37 Prozent der Süßwasserfische als “gefährdet”, “stark gefährdet” oder “vom Aussterben bedroht” eingestuft. Bei den in Flüssen und Seen lebenden Weichtieren sind es sogar 44 Prozent. Besonders stark betroffen ist beispielsweise der Stör: Sieben der acht europäischen Arten sind demnach “stark gefährdet”. Des Weiteren gelten 23 Prozent der Amphibien und 19 Prozent der Reptilien als gefährdet. Jede fünfte an Land lebende Weichtierart ist den Daten zufolge bedroht, ebenso 15 Prozent der Säugetierarten und 13 Prozent der Vögel. Rund 26 Prozent der Gefäßpflanzen – das sind alle Pflanzen außer den Moosen – werden auf der aktuellen Roten Liste ebenfalls als bedroht eingestuft.

Die EU-Kommission meldet “alarmierende Verlustzahlen” für Tier- und Pflanzenarten in Europa. Besonders schlecht steht es demnach um die Süßwasserfische sowie Schnecken, Muscheln und andere Weichtiere. Die Zahlen zeigten, “dass die europäischen Süßwasserökosysteme in der Tat ernsthaft bedroht sind und dringend Erhaltungsmaßnahmen erforderlich sind”, warnte Annabelle Cuttelod von der Weltnaturschutzunion (IUCN), die jährlich die Rote Liste der gefährdeten Arten veröffentlicht. Für die europäische Ausgabe wurde den Angaben zufolge mit rund 6000 Arten ein “erheblicher Teil” der in Europa heimischen Fauna und Flora untersucht.In der Roten Liste sind 37 Prozent der Süßwasserfische als “gefährdet”, “stark gefährdet” oder “vom Aussterben bedroht” eingestuft. Bei den in Flüssen und Seen lebenden Weichtieren sind es sogar 44 Prozent. Besonders stark betroffen ist beispielsweise der Stör: Sieben der acht europäischen Arten sind demnach “stark gefährdet”. Des Weiteren gelten 23 Prozent der Amphibien und 19 Prozent der Reptilien als gefährdet. Jede fünfte an Land lebende Weichtierart ist den Daten zufolge bedroht, ebenso 15 Prozent der Säugetierarten und 13 Prozent der Vögel. Rund 26 Prozent der Gefäßpflanzen – das sind alle Pflanzen außer den Moosen – werden auf der aktuellen Roten Liste ebenfalls als bedroht eingestuft.

Quelle: Spiegel Online, im Dezember 2014
http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/rote-liste-heftiger-artenschwund-in-europas-gewaessern-a-799169.html

08/12/2014
Finnish water fowl populations plummet

The populations of most types of Finnish water fowl have been declining steadily and aggressively for many years, a new study shows. The results of the study, conducted by the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute (RKTL) and the Finnish Museum of Natural History, were published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research. Species of water bird whose numbers are swiftly dwindling include the widgeon (Anas penelope), the northern pintail (Anas acuta), the garganey (Anas querquedula), the tufted duck (Aythya fuligula), the pochard (Aythya ferina) and the coot (Fulica atra). Researchers say the drops are due to changes in the birds’ habitat; feeding becomes difficult for water fowl in hypertrophic or polluted waters. The research centre calls the population depletion a ”mystery,” since extra nutrients in the waters should make it easier for birds to feed. Shifts in the food chain may also affect the nutritional intake of young fowls, and small mammalian predators or other birds can eat the young of other species or destroy their nests.

The populations of most types of Finnish water fowl have been declining steadily and aggressively for many years, a new study shows. The results of the study, conducted by the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute (RKTL) and the Finnish Museum of Natural History, were published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research. Species of water bird whose numbers are swiftly dwindling include the widgeon (Anas penelope), the northern pintail (Anas acuta), the garganey (Anas querquedula), the tufted duck (Aythya fuligula), the pochard (Aythya ferina) and the coot (Fulica atra). Researchers say the drops are due to changes in the birds’ habitat; feeding becomes difficult for water fowl in hypertrophic or polluted waters. The research centre calls the population depletion a ”mystery,” since extra nutrients in the waters should make it easier for birds to feed. Shifts in the food chain may also affect the nutritional intake of young fowls, and small mammalian predators or other birds can eat the young of other species or destroy their nests.

Source: Yle Uutiset, 7 December 2014
http://yle.fi/uutiset/study_water_fowl_populations_plummet__several_causes/7674378

08/12/2014
Neonicotinoid insecticide travels through a soil food chain, disrupting biological control of non-target pests and decreasing soya bean yield

Neonicotinoids are the most widely used insecticides world-wide, but their fate in the environment remains unclear, as does their potential to influence non-target species and the roles they play in agroecosystems. We investigated in laboratory and field studies the influence of the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam, applied as a coating to soya bean seeds, on interactions among soya beans, non-target molluscan herbivores and their insect predators. In the laboratory, the pest slug Deroceras reticulatum was unaffected by thiamethoxam, but transmitted the toxin to predaceous beetles (Chlaenius tricolor), impairing or killing >60%. In the field, thiamethoxam-based seed treatments depressed activity–density of arthropod predators, thereby relaxing predation of slugs and reducing soya bean densities by 19% and yield by 5%. Neonicotinoid residue analyses revealed that insecticide concentrations declined through the food chain, but levels in field-collected slugs (up to 500 ng g−1) were still high enough to harm insect predators. Our findings reveal a previously unconsidered ecological pathway through which neonicotinoid use can unintentionally reduce biological control and crop yield. Trophic transfer of neonicotinoids challenges the notion that seed-applied toxins precisely target herbivorous pests and highlights the need to consider predatory arthropods and soil communities in neonicotinoid risk assessment and stewardship.

Neonicotinoids are the most widely used insecticides world-wide, but their fate in the environment remains unclear, as does their potential to influence non-target species and the roles they play in agroecosystems. We investigated in laboratory and field studies the influence of the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam, applied as a coating to soya bean seeds, on interactions among soya beans, non-target molluscan herbivores and their insect predators. In the laboratory, the pest slug Deroceras reticulatum was unaffected by thiamethoxam, but transmitted the toxin to predaceous beetles (Chlaenius tricolor), impairing or killing >60%. In the field, thiamethoxam-based seed treatments depressed activity–density of arthropod predators, thereby relaxing predation of slugs and reducing soya bean densities by 19% and yield by 5%. Neonicotinoid residue analyses revealed that insecticide concentrations declined through the food chain, but levels in field-collected slugs (up to 500 ng g−1) were still high enough to harm insect predators. Our findings reveal a previously unconsidered ecological pathway through which neonicotinoid use can unintentionally reduce biological control and crop yield. Trophic transfer of neonicotinoids challenges the notion that seed-applied toxins precisely target herbivorous pests and highlights the need to consider predatory arthropods and soil communities in neonicotinoid risk assessment and stewardship.

Source:
Douglas, M. R., Rohr, J. R., Tooker, J. F. (2014), Neonicotinoid insecticide travels through a soil food chain, disrupting biological control of non-target pests and decreasing soya bean yield. Journal of Applied Ecology. doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.12372
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.12372/abstract

08/12/2014
Het Ctgb in Wageningen plaatst zich boven onze volksvertegenwoordiging

Na een publicatie in Nature in juli 2014 heeft staatssecretaris Dijksma van Economische Zaken direct aan het College voor de toelating van gewasbeschermingsmiddelen en biociden (Ctgb) gevraagd om te reageren op het onderzoek en te bezien of er consequenties zijn voor de toelating van imidacloprid. Een dergelijk verzoek aan het Ctgb is te beschouwen als de eerste stap in een ‘regulier traject’ voor nationaal ingrijpen in de toelating van een gewasbeschermingsmiddel. Wanneer zich in de toekomst een vergelijkbaar geval voordoet, zal Dijksma het Ctgb zal opnieuw vragen te beoordelen of ingrijpen in de toelating tot de mogelijkheden behoort. Dat schrijft de staatssecretaris aan de Tweede Kamer.

Na een publicatie in Nature in juli 2014 heeft staatssecretaris Dijksma van Economische Zaken direct aan het College voor de toelating van gewasbeschermingsmiddelen en biociden (Ctgb) gevraagd om te reageren op het onderzoek en te bezien of er consequenties zijn voor de toelating van imidacloprid. Een dergelijk verzoek aan het Ctgb is te beschouwen als de eerste stap in een ‘regulier traject’ voor nationaal ingrijpen in de toelating van een gewasbeschermingsmiddel. Wanneer zich in de toekomst een vergelijkbaar geval voordoet, zal Dijksma het Ctgb zal opnieuw vragen te beoordelen of ingrijpen in de toelating tot de mogelijkheden behoort. Dat schrijft de staatssecretaris aan de Tweede Kamer.

Het Ctgb heeft het wetenschappelijke artikel bestudeerd en bezien of er op basis daarvan ingegrepen moest worden in de toelating. Het Ctgb bevestigt dat de Nature-publicatie inderdaad een correlatie aantoont tussen imidacloprid in oppervlaktewater en de afname vogelpopulaties, maar constateert dat de gepresenteerde gegevens geen causaal verband aantonen. Tevens geeft het Ctgb aan dat het onderzoek is gebaseerd op gegevens van voor 2010 en dat sindsdien de regelgeving meermaals is aangescherpt, onder meer door de toelaatbare norm substantieel te verlagen en daarmee samenhangend door het voorschrijven en verplicht stellen van vergaande zuiveringstechnieken van water uit kassen.

Het Ctgb stelt ook dat in de afgelopen jaren maatregelen zijn genomen om de effecten van imidacloprid op de bijenstand en op het waterleven binnen aanvaardbare normen te houden. Het effect van deze maatregelen zal de komende tijd zichtbaar moeten worden in een verdere voortzetting van de ingezette verlaging van de concentraties imidacloprid in oppervlaktewater. Het Ctgb is juridisch gehouden om de uitwerking van deze maatregelen af te wachten alvorens eventuele nieuwe maatregelen aan de orde zijn.

Er moet snel meer duidelijkheid worden verkregen over de effectiviteit van de al eerder genomen maatregelen om normoverschrijdingen van imidacloprid in oppervlaktewater terug te dringen, wil een verbod kans van slagen maken, aldus Dijksma. Zij heeft daarom ingezet op het versneld beschikbaar komen van recente meetgegevens die alsnog aanleiding kunnen geven tot ingrijpen, zowel op nationaal als Europees niveau.

Bron: Ministerie van Economische Zaken, 26/11/14 en AgriHolland Nieuws, 27/11/14
http://www.agriholland.nl/nieuws/artikel.html?id=164950

28/11/2014
A multi-year field study to evaluate the environmental fate and agronomic effects of insecticide mixtures

A mixture of insecticides used in corn production was monitored over a three-year period in a field study to determine how long each persists in the environment, where each insecticide travels within the corn field, and the efficacy of using soil-applied insecticides with genetically modified corn. The genetically modified corn contained the insecticidal Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb1 proteins (Bt corn) and the Cry1Ab protein was found to persist only during the corn growing season in soil, runoffwater, and runoff sediment with highest concentrations measured during pollination. Very low concentrations of Cry1Ab proteins were measured in soil collected in the non-Bt corn field, and no Cry1Ab proteins were detected in shallow groundwater or soil pore water. Clothianidin, a neonicotinoid insecticide used as a seed coating, was detected in all matrices and remained persistent throughout the year in soil pore water. Tefluthrin, a pyrethroid insecticide applied at planting to control corn rootworm larvae (Diabrotica spp., Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) populations, was consistently detected in soil, runoff water, and runoff sediment during the corn growing season, but was not detected in groundwater or soil pore water. Tefluthrin did not have an effect on root damage from corn rootworm larvae feeding to Bt corn, but did prevent damage to non-Bt corn. A slight reduction in grain yield was observed in the non-Bt, no tefluthrin treatment when compared to all other treatments, but no significant difference in grain yield was observed among Bt corn treatments regardless of soil insecticide application. In the current study, the use of tefluthrin on Bt corn did not significantly affect crop damage or yield, and tefluthrin may travel off-site in runoff water and sediment.

A mixture of insecticides used in corn production was monitored over a three-year period in a field study to determine how long each persists in the environment, where each insecticide travels within the corn field, and the efficacy of using soil-applied insecticides with genetically modified corn. The genetically modified corn contained the insecticidal Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb1 proteins (Bt corn) and the Cry1Ab protein was found to persist only during the corn growing season in soil, runoffwater, and runoff sediment with highest concentrations measured during pollination. Very low concentrations of Cry1Ab proteins were measured in soil collected in the non-Bt corn field, and no Cry1Ab proteins were detected in shallow groundwater or soil pore water. Clothianidin, a neonicotinoid insecticide used as a seed coating, was detected in all matrices and remained persistent throughout the year in soil pore water. Tefluthrin, a pyrethroid insecticide applied at planting to control corn rootworm larvae (Diabrotica spp., Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) populations, was consistently detected in soil, runoff water, and runoff sediment during the corn growing season, but was not detected in groundwater or soil pore water. Tefluthrin did not have an effect on root damage from corn rootworm larvae feeding to Bt corn, but did prevent damage to non-Bt corn. A slight reduction in grain yield was observed in the non-Bt, no tefluthrin treatment when compared to all other treatments, but no significant difference in grain yield was observed among Bt corn treatments regardless of soil insecticide application. In the current study, the use of tefluthrin on Bt corn did not significantly affect crop damage or yield, and tefluthrin may travel off-site in runoff water and sediment.

Source: S.A. Whiting et al. / Science of the Total Environment 497–498 (2014) 534–542

25/11/2014
Meer dan 100 wetenschappers doen een beroep op de Pollinator Health Task Force van president Barack Obama om actie te ondernemen tegen de neonicotinoïden

In een brief aan het Witte Huis refereren meer dan 100 wetenschappers uit diverse disciplines (daaronder de Nederlandse toxicoloog Henk Tennekes) naar de groeiende hoeveelheid bewijsmateriaal dat de neonicotinoïden en andere systemische pesticiden ernstige schade toevoegen aan bijen en andere bestuivers. Deze wetenschappers doen een beroep op de leiders van de Pollinator Health Task Force van president Barack Obama om actie te ondernemen tegen pesticiden ter bescherming en bevordering van een gezonde populaties van bijen en andere bestuivers.

In een brief aan het Witte Huis refereren meer dan 100 wetenschappers uit diverse disciplines (daaronder de Nederlandse toxicoloog Henk Tennekes) naar de groeiende hoeveelheid bewijsmateriaal dat de neonicotinoïden en andere systemische pesticiden ernstige schade toevoegen aan bijen en andere bestuivers. Deze wetenschappers doen een beroep op de leiders van de Pollinator Health Task Force van president Barack Obama om actie te ondernemen tegen pesticiden ter bescherming en bevordering van een gezonde populaties van bijen en andere bestuivers.

Bron: Pesticide Action Network, november 2014
http://www.panna.org/press-release/100-scientists-call-obama-bee-task-force-take-action-pesticides

24/11/2014
100+ Scientists Call on Obama’s Bee Task Force to Take Action on Pesticides

In a letter submitted for today’s White House “listening sessions” deadline, over 100 scientists from diverse disciplines (including Dutch toxicologist Henk Tennekes) cited the growing body of evidence that neonicotinoids and other systemic pesticides harm bees. These scientists called on leaders of President Barack Obama’s Pollinator Health Task Force to take action on pesticides to protect and promote healthy populations of bees and other pollinators.

In a letter submitted for today’s White House “listening sessions” deadline, over 100 scientists from diverse disciplines (including Dutch toxicologist Henk Tennekes) cited the growing body of evidence that neonicotinoids and other systemic pesticides harm bees. These scientists called on leaders of President Barack Obama’s Pollinator Health Task Force to take action on pesticides to protect and promote healthy populations of bees and other pollinators.

“Bees have been quietly pollinating our crops for millennia, but now they need our help. It is vitally important that we take steps to reduce exposure of bees and other wildlife to these systemic, persistent neurotoxins,” said Dave Goulson, PhD, a bee expert and biology professor at the University of Sussex, and a leader of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) global Task Force on Systemic Pesticides.

The 108 scientists — whose areas of expertise include entomology, agronomy, ecology, ecotoxicology — called on Task Force co-chairs U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Gina McCarthy and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Secretary Tom Vilsack to place a moratorium on use of neonicotinoid pesticides in the United States, and increase investment, research and funding for growers to adopt alternatives.

Almost a year after Europe successfully implemented a moratorium on neonicotinoids, federal policymakers in the U.S. have yet to take any substantive action. Bee declines across the country have continued at unprecedented rates — over 30% annually — with significant ramifications for beekeepers’ livelihoods, crops that rely on pollination and the agricultural economy. EPA has refused to finish its review for clothianidin and thiamethoxam, as well as other neonicotinoids, before 2018.

“The President’s Task Force should listen to the body of science that links pesticides to bee harm and bee declines,” said Jim Frazier, PhD, an emeritus entomology professor at Pennsylvania State University and commercial beekeeper advisor who specializes in chemical ecology. “These systemic pesticides are not only lethal to pollinators, but at low doses can disrupt critical brain functions and reduce their immunity — leaving them susceptible to common pathogens. The weight of the scientific evidence certainly incriminates neonicotinoids, in line with the 2013 European Food Safety Agency’s review of 800-plus publications that led to the current moratorium on certain neonicotinoids.”

The IUCN’s June 2014 “Worldwide Integrated Assessment (WIA)” — a review of over 800 studies by 29 independent researchers — documents significant harms to bees and ecosystems from neonicotinoids. Scientists submitting the letter today join others around the globe calling for new, dramatic restrictions on bee-harming pesticides in the United States and beyond. The report also suggests that the current regulatory system has failed to capture the range of impacts of these pesticide products. And it suggests the impacts on ecosystems can, in turn, have even greater impacts on food and farming in the United States.

“Native bees are important contributors to crop pollination — not only do they serve as our insurance policy when supplies of honey bees are low or variable, but they often contribute as much or more to fruit and vegetable pollination as honey bees do. They can complement the actions of honey bees by flying under different weather conditions or visiting different parts of the plant — leading to more production. In all of these ways, they enhance farmer’s abilities to get their crops pollinated,” said Claire Kremen, PhD, a conservation biology professor at University of California – Berkeley, and co-director of the Berkeley Food Institute. “Policymakers must protect native pollinator habitat on farms and ensure that their populations are not damaged due to harmful pesticides.”

As more studies link pesticides to bee harm and declines, more studies show that neonicotinoid seed treatments aren’t serving farmers or promoting pollination. In a study released in October, EPA noted: “Published data indicate that in most cases there is no difference in soybean yield when soybean seed was treated with neonicotinoids versus not receiving any insect control treatment.”

Neonicotinoids are an increasingly widely used class of systemic insecticides that are absorbed by plants and transported throughout the plant’s vascular tissue, making the plant potentially toxic to insects. They are commonly used in commodity agriculture as seed treatments, and also as foliar and granular treatments in nurseries. Neonicotinoids including imidacloprid (Bayer), clothianidin (Bayer), thiamethoxam (Syngenta) and dinotefuran (Mitsui Chemicals) first came into heavy use in the mid-2000s. Additional systemic pesticides that similarly disrupt brain function like sulfoxaflor (Dow) are slated to come to market soon.
Source: Pesticide Action Network, November 2014
http://www.panna.org/press-release/100-scientists-call-obama-bee-task-force-take-action-pesticides

24/11/2014