Photo by Barry Wallace
Honey testing reveals worldwide contamination
by bee-harming pesticides
by bee-harming pesticides
Neonicotinoid insecticides are found in 75% of international honey samples and North America ranks highest with 86% of samples containing one or more neonicotinoids. The honey analyses, recently published in the journal Science, were collected between 2012 and 2016. Hundreds of samples were received from around the world and 198 of known local origin were analysed for the five main types of neonicotinoid. The impacts on bees include damage to learning, behaviour and colony success. Concentrations were often low, but the pesticides are extremely toxic: 4,000 to 10,000 times more toxic than DDT and the effect is felt by wild bees as well as honeybee colonies. Professor Dave Goulson at Sussex University in the UK., says: "Entire landscapes all over the world are now permeated with highly toxic neurotoxins, undoubtedly contributing to the global collapse of biodiversity". Christopher Connolly at Dundee University, UK., says: "The findings are alarming. It is time that these chemicals are heavily restricted for use. In this way, their impact on the environment can be limited and their efficacy against pests preserved for when there is no alternative option".
Please comment if you wish.
Barry Wallace
Please comment if you wish.
Barry Wallace
How stupid can we be!
ReplyDeleteAlarming how our friends, the honeybees, who pollinate our gardens and all plants, are being exterminated for the benefit of the bottom line. Surely we can sign petitions & contact our governments to stop this use of chemicals. Lovely photo; thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete