>It is Bayer’s responsibility to prove there is no link.

> That may be trying to prove a negative, but that’s the way it is with
> potentially hazardous materials and medications.  You have to prove that
> they are safe


Sorry, Steve, it's impossible to prove a negative.  To Bayer's credit, they
are being quite transparent to beekeepers.

They did prove to the satisfaction our representatives, the EPA, that the
pesticide was safe.

However, new research may elicit new questions, and require further
research.  Such research is constantly being done (most haven't found
problems with proper application of imidacloprid).  That's not to say that
imidacloprid has been exonerated, since with any pesticide or medication,
the door needs to be left open to new facts that may indicated previously
undemonstrated negative effects.

There is plenty of current research being done on imidacloprid.  Evidence
can then be presented to the EPA, rather than trying the product in a
kangaroo court of public opinion.

Randy Oliver

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