Find below info. that came into my mail box via. Manitoba Provincial
Apiarist, Rheal LaFreniere.

I regret also that this material appears to be on the public market that
apparently have with no answers at the moment to so many basic
questions, and hope that other future substances are supplied with
adequate research data before release into the field environment.
The attached list of questioning requests associated with this
Provisional registration is IMHO incredible to read.

I also regret the residue levels quoted when associated with the time
periods indicated. They appear protracted to say the least.

Also hope that Agriculturalists heed the advice and bury or dispose of
seed in a manner that removes potential harm to other wildlife and that
they follow the advice of not using the pesticide too often.

Also crossing my fingers as yet another toxic substance is released into
the honeybee realm.
Regards,
Peter




-----Original Message-----
From: Veldon Sorensen [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 2:56 PM
Subject: Poncho Reg Note

You may find websites and circulating e-mails in bee circles indicating that
PMRA has registered a compound - Poncho or clothianidin - that is harmful to
bees.  The source of the material is an editing omission by the PMRA in the
Clothianidin Regulatory Note.  This error was noted during editing, but
failed
to get corrected in the final report that PMRA released to the public.  PMRA
has
agreed this was an error and are in the process of making the necessary
change.
Until that time, you may see this false statement being used, which states:
"residue levels in pollen and nectar are above the LD50 level" (when in fact
the
residues are far below) and this wrong quote is now being circulated among
beekeepers.

Here is the calculation provided to PMRA:

A LD50 of 0.00368 ug/bee is determined in tests in which bees are given
sugar
water spiked with test compound.  Each bee ingests approximately 20 uL of
sugar
water.  Sugar water has a density of 1.3 mg/ml, so each bee actually ingest
a
mass of 26 mg of solution.  If the dose ingested was 0.00368 ug, then the
concentration of this sugar solution is 0.00368 ug/26 mg = 142 ug/kg or ppb.
Thus, a concentration of 142 ppb is required for bees to obtain a LD50 dose,
and
the field concentrations are in the range of <1 to 5 ppb in nectar and
pollen.

Hope this helps and we regret this misinformation is being circulated.

veldon

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::