Several of the "lurkers" who have emerged, have commentedon the intensity of 
the debate on the contentious issue of the impact of the latest generation 
of insecticides on bees. Are the neonicotinoids responsible for the decline 
in vigour of managed bee populations around the globe? (And indeed other 
important pollinator insect species.) Expert opinions seem to vary from one 
extreme to the other, and strongly held opinions are seemingly immune to 
change despite evidence presented to the contrary. Oh yes, and as with any 
other hotly contested argument, the occasional "conspiracy theory" emerges.

 Its probably fair to say that the jury is still considering the evidence, 
and many of us witnessing this debate are still holding our breath, unsure 
where the truth lies.

The whole scenario reminds me very much of a similarly contentious public 
debate that took place over many years about another health issue, namely 
smoking and cancer. I grew up wondering why despite all the research 
evidence linking tobacco smoking to so many health issues, smoking continued 
amongst my family and friends, encouraged by advertising, legalised and 
therefore endorsed by governments. Denial was rife, and it seems to me that 
it took almost 50 years for it to die away.The tobacco industry is still 
with us, but at least denial of the research results amongst smokers seems 
to have largely gone.

 In the same time frame I have witnessed the serious societal impacts of 
other problematic substances, such as DDT, and asbestos, developed and 
disseminated in good faith, but with devastating impacts, which when the 
association was realised caused governments to act and ban them. As we know, 
in the case of the neonicotinoids, some governments have acted and imposed 
bans.The debate continues, and will do for some considerable time yet, I am 
sure.  But I for one, am grateful for the opportunity to have Bee-L bring 
that debate to me, blow by blow. As a beekeeper, I have a vested interest, 
even if the T-shirt does declare "Innocent bystander".

Peter Detchon
Western Australia 

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