Dear All,

Since joining this group several years ago it has been one of my
intentions to highlight the potential and real problems relating to
pesticide applications.

We, here in France are most probably at a crucial phase in the
"Imidaclopride" story, if one can bring it down to that level.

It has become very apparent that (pushing our immediate problem to one
side for the moment) the basic cause of our problem was and still is the
somewhat lax attitude of the Public Authorities when dealing with
pesticide authorisation testing and final use.

Materials that should not have been allowed on to the market have been
so - partially due to intense lobbying from the Agro-chemical companies.

They obviously know the law inside out and manipulate any weakness in
it.

If it is not stated black on white the do's and don'ts - the adverts,
labeling, application, testing of etc. are all fair game in the world of
mis-use, mis-interpretation and legal protestation of big business.

I am not against  farmers etc. protecting their produce as much as
beekeepers have to protect their interests - but the initial rules must
be fair, correct and followed in the way that they were "intended".

This is so often not the case.

When either mistakes are revealed or new science sheds unwelcome facts
onto a product - watch the weasel words and actions come forth from the
protectors of the countryside - the agro-chemical firms.

Business often wonder with mouths agape when the public get into a
frantic state - often media led.
Critics say that the real facts and science should be obtained and used:
so that the aforementioned public become well informed - who would then
be in a position to formulate their own opinions.
Excellent idea, totally agree, except where is the science, reports that
count, information that allows the public to get informed?

It is held back under commercial secrecy, buried in departmental files
in Universities which have signed deals with companies to ensure that
either the results are unpublished (unless it is good news), or
statistically castrated when viewed from a scientifically relevant
stance.

The growing lack of truly independent scientific work is lamentable.

Governments are "short of cash" - not so!!, they just do not wish to
direct it into certain areas.

As this is so often the case  they should at least insist that those who
do the work "for the public good" do so honestly - and the rules should
make sure that this is so.

The Scientific community that work in tied contracts should also speak
out and tell the truth when there is the need - and not hid behind
legalised non responsibility.

The proposed lack in protection of bees and therefore "hand in hand" the
environment in general is another sign of short sighted political
aptitude
when facing industrial greed for turnover.

I think I shall go and bury my head in a dead hive - and I have so many
to choose from!

Peter