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Date: | Mon, 14 Jul 2014 19:52:59 -0700 |
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http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature13531.html#ref-link-43
Bayer responds:
http://www.bayercropscience.us/news/press-releases/2014/0709-bee-statement---response-nature-magazine
or http://tinyurl.com/mhnanbw
"The letter makes no proper attempt to account for other possible
sources of the reported decline such as climate change or nutrition.
On the latter, two of the authors, van Turnhout and Foppen, in 2010
actually concluded that “trophic mismatches may have become a
major cause for population declines in long-distance migrants in
highly seasonal habitats.” The authors’ conclusion was for forests
but agricultural areas are even more seasonal.
The authors’ assertions ignore the fact that most of the bird species
mentioned are not foraging to a large extent on insects emerging
from water bodies. Skylarks, for instance, predominantly feed on
ground dwelling beetles. Birds living close to aquatic habitats – the
species hypothetically affected most by concentrations of
neonicotinoids in surface water – show no or negligible negative
impact.
The letter refers to a publication by van Dijk et al (2013) as
scientific source which was recently rebutted by peer
scientists on methods used and conclusions reached.
In addition, the Dutch authority responsible for authorization
of crop protection products, Ctgb, concluded “that this study
cannot be used to show a causal relationship between the
concentration on imidacloprid and the number of observed
species.”
In conclusion, the letter to “Nature” provides no substantiated
evidence of the alleged indirect effects of imidacloprid on
insectivorous birds. Bayer CropScience is working with the
Dutch authorities and agricultural stakeholders to ensure
the safe use of imidacloprid-containing crop protection
products and to preserve the environment."
Paul Cherubini
El Dorado, Calif.
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