Pesticide Research

[DGoodrich]

Studies have been pointing to neonicotinoid pesticides having a link to bee deaths and the colony collapse disorder over the last few years. Two Ontario honey-producers, with support from the Ontario Beekeeper's Association, just launched a $450 million dollar lawsuit against Bayer Inc and Syngenta International Ag for a lack of due diligence in ensuring that these pesticides were tested properly for safe use. That story is at this link:
http://london.ctvnews.ca/ontario-beekeepers-launch-class-action-lawsuit-against-pesticide-makers-1.1989122

Now a new study has been published in the Journal For Experimental Biology claiming that glyphosate is also linked to bees starving and being unable to find their way back to their hives, contributing to colony collapse disorder as well. That story is at this link:
http://www.naturalnews.com/046769_Roundup_honeybees_colony_collapse_disorder. html?utm_content=bufferbfe0b&utm_medium=social&utm _source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer#

The original study as published is at this link:
http://www.gmoevidence.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Herbert2014-Gly-Bee-Behaviour-1.pdf

There are already full or partial bans in some countries on neonicotinoids and glyphosate as more research comes out linking both to health issues in insects and animals.

[rkaiser]

Thanks for posting Mr. Goodrich.

This spot and maybe even the crop guys thread is the place to post this stuff.

As much as Bayer et al need to be responsible, the choice starts with the farmer or rancher. Of course the use of chemicals is always a monetary decision and I have compassion for that. However conscience and consciousness always lead to responsibility and action. And this action must start with the true physicians who issues the farmacueticals. Physicians who need to show consideration, compassion and benevolence for their patients, and may actually have to change their farming practices to accomplish this role they have chosen on mother earth.

[Horse]

I dont think those large farmers give a damm about health and safety . They cant farm those numbers without chems all around you see sprayer tracks in ripe fields and I think glad I dont spray everything I eat with glyco first but I still have to go to the grocery store for a lot of my p goods also , so I guess I am just as screwewd as them that buy all thier food from the stores.

[ward.toma]

In the past decade, the number of honeybees in Canada has reached near-record levels (more than 700,000 colonies Canada-wide in 2012, up from 600,000 in 2000[6]). More than 70 per cent of these colonies are in Western Canada, where canola has become one of the most important crops.

The health of hives in Western Canada remains high as these two industries grow in close proximity. The overwhelming majority of beekeepers have reported no problems with canola production practices. Beekeepers seek out canola fields because they are such a good nectar/pollen source, and canola growers know it is in their own best interest to protect this mutually beneficial relationship.

http://www.canolacouncil.org/markets-stats/industry-overview/bees-and-canola-a-sweet-relationship/

[kato]

Canola honey is my favourite. It's as white as can be, and the flavour is excellent.

Are nicotinoids used on canola? I know it's almost impossible to buy corn seed that hasn't been treated with them.

[grassfarmer]

I have a friend that has bees. Hates the GM canola, says the bees don't do well on it and he reckons it's like the "empty calorie" fast foods humans eat.
Not the nutrient dense diet they would get from a natural flower.

[KoolRanch55]

It’s interesting that we are talking about this topic in beef chat, but it caught my eye and I’ll take a stab at it.

From what I can tell, there is a diverse opinion on the subject. To answer kato’s question yes, there is GM canola in Western Canada.

Interestingly, the province of Ontario had the highest number of bee-kill over the winter at 58%. That figure is three times higher than the rest of Canada.
I do think that the topic of bee health is a complex one. We also need to consider many other factors, one of which is being beekeeper management. In some provinces like Ontario, there are a lot of what I would call are “hobbyist” beekeepers, not commercial guys who work a bit more closely with the farm community.

In my opinion it’s too soon to be pointing the finger at any one person or company. We need to stop the blame game and engage in conversation with crop farmers and beekeepers. I think if we start doing that, it will become apparent that farmers and beekeepers have a lot more in common than what we might think. In fact, beekeepers may have more in common with livestock producers like ourselves compared to crop guys, because in essence bees are livestock too.

[grassfarmer]

Kato's question was whether neonicitinoids were used on Canola seed - the answer is yes, universally.
Ontario crops - corn and soya - again seed of both both is universally treated with neonicitinoids.

I don't think conversation will provide the answer - further research will but it's already pointing to the culprit - neonicitoids.