Some people continue to insist that studies support a significant role of neo nics in CCD, despite very clear evidence to the contrary. The recent report says lab tests show that imid in corn *could* poison bees. The one below finds: in the real world, it doesn't. Plus, the beekeepers are not controlling parasites while at the same time they are poisoning their own bees. I am taking no position on organic farming vs conventional farming. My chief concern is for the health of bees, people AND the environment. If there is to be a midpoint between all the various extreme positions, that's where I'd be. Furthermore, we simply don't have the right to take away a valuable tool from farmers, without making an airtight case. And looking at alternatives, like avoiding crop land. > Our study does not support the involvement of maize treated with imidacloprid in the observed mortality-related problems that affect honey bees in Belgium. However, nutritive scarcity in the environment must be further studied. The very large number of samples containing acaricides, especially ineffective (tau-fluvalinate) or prohibited (rotenone, bromopropylate) materials, to control V. destructor along with apicultural practices highlighted during beekeeper interviews suggest the inadequacy of the methods used for mite control. These parasites, along with the protozoan Nosema ceranae (Higes et al. 2006) and various viruses (Cox-Foster et al. 2007) have recently been identified as potential risk factors for honey bees mortality, which is described by many experts as multifactorial. Does Imidacloprid Seed-Treated Maize Have an Impact on Honey Bee Mortality? Journal of Economic Entomology 102(2):616-623. 2009 -- Peter Loring Borst Ithaca, NY USA *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Access BEE-L directly at: http://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=BEE-L