>As a beekeeper, I cannot understand why some of us defend the
neonicotinoids after all we know about them.

Ghislain, there is a big difference between "defending" any pesticide, and
objectively discussing the facts.

For example, I intentionally apply pesticides in my own colonies.  Yet I
also hate to do so, since I know that they have adverse effects upon my
bees.  Yet when I objectively look at the data, I find that the application
of pesticides such as formic and oxalic acid or thymol, result in higher
colony survival.  So I use them.

But I'm sure not going to "defend" them--they are all rough on bees, and
I'd rather not apply them at all!

By the same token, I don't know of any of us who "defend" the use of
neonics.  The discussion/debate is about the factuality of information
being disseminated, and the validity of the conclusions being drawn from
such information/misinformation.

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