>It was further pointed out that neonic use in consecutive years is
unnecessary, especially given the soil half-life of the compounds and also
given the "knock-down" effect on the target insects.

The soil half life is not so much the issue.  As a Bayer scientist pointed
out to a group some years ago, why would they sell a pesticide that didn't
need to be purchased each year?  As far as I can tell, the residues in the
soil to not give effective pest control.

On the other hand, once a pest population has been greatly reduced in an
area (as has corn rootworm in some regions), then IPM and PRM (pest
resistance management) dictates that one should stop applying the pesticide!

The problem is that seeds are treated with cocktails, including
nematocides, fungicides, fertilizer, etc.  It's easier for the treatment
companies to simply add the entire cocktail.

The answer is of course the market.  If farmers demand neonic-free seed to
use in rotation, the suppliers will supply it.

--
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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