>For example I also manage 2500 apple trees and during the late scab season
apple growers will use an insecticide with a fungicide. I would think that
while not every possible interaction can be screened for at least common
combinations of chemicals for various crops in real world situations would
be a prudent area to look into whether its required by the EPA currently or
not.

Brian, yes it would be "prudent."   However, since such tests are expensive,
it wouldn't be prudent for the corporation's bottom line.  So I wouldn't
expect any corporation to go out of their way to do such tests unless the
EPA requires them.

As for your example, if two insecticides are applied when apples are no
longer in bloom, then the only likely way that bees would be exposed to the
combination is if they pesticides fell on the understory of flowering
"weeds."  Technically, such weeds should be mown prior to spraying.

My point is, that one could require an infinite number of tests, and no
products would ever make it to market.  So it is up to us to let the EPA
know which combinations we feel are critical to test.  They accept public
input.

Randy Oliver

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Access BEE-L directly at:
http://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=BEE-L