http://www.driffieldtoday.co.uk/east-riidng-business-and-farming/Evidence-on-pesticides-
does-not.5645366.jp

Evidence on pesticides does not support ban to protect bees, claims NFU

Published Date: 14 September 2009

The NFU has today called for an independent and comprehensive assessment of the 
impact of neonicotinoids after Buglife issued a report implicating these insecticides in the 
decline of our honey bees.
The report, backed by the Soil Association and the Pesticide Action Network UK, 
reappraises a selection of existing evidence and recommends a precautionary suspension 
on the use of all neonicotinoid products pending a review of this group of insecticides.

However, the NFU remains fundamentally opposed to this approach which is not based on 
clear and sound scientific evidence.

NFU horticulture adviser, and lead on bees, Dr Chris Hartfield said: "Buglife's call for a 
suspension on the use of neonicotinoids is not backed by any of the key beekeeping 
organisations in the UK. Although the report adds a useful perspective to the debate the 
fact of the matter remains there is still no clear evidence that the use of crop protection 
products containing neonicotinoids is a factor causing the worrying honey bee losses we 
are experiencing across the UK.

"All pesticides undergo a very rigorous approval process based on sound science and we 
would expect sound scientific arguments to be presented before the withdrawal of any 
product was considered.

"What the debate really needs is an independent and comprehensive assessment of the 
situation to inform the process. The debate around bees and pesticides can only be 
resolved by sound science and clear evidence and for this an independent study is 
needed. To tackle bee health problems effectively we believe we need to work on the 
basis of what we know, not what we suspect."

The NFU is working closely with beekeepers and the Government to ensure action is 
taken to provide effective solutions to bee health problems in the UK. All of the key bee-
keeping organisations in the UK agree that pests and disease are the principal threat 
facing British honey bees.

John Howat, bee farmer and secretary of the Bee Farmers' Association of the UK, said: 
"The fact is that the parasitic mite Varroa is a major pest killing honey bee colonies, and 
our controls for it are failing. Why do we need to divert our attention from this danger? 
The reduced resistance of the honeybee caused by Varroa infection makes them more 
susceptible to other problems such as viruses, bacterial diseases, and possibly crop 
protection chemicals. But for the BFA the evidence is far from clear.

"Until there has been a thorough and unbiased review of all the evidence, which takes 
account of the quality of the evidence and the relevance of it to honey bees in the field, 
we are not prepared to call for any ban."

Mr Howat also raises concerns about what alternative products would be used if 
neonicotinoids were banned. As a relatively new product it is likely they would be 
replaced by older chemistry that could be of greater risk to bees.

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