Background
Bees, a pollinating insect, play a sometimes unacknowledged, yet vital role in our ecosystems. A third of all of our food in the US depends on their pollination, and a world without bees would be extremely detrimental for food production. Since the late 1990s, beekeepers have observed the bewildering and rapid disappearance of bees as the rate of decline has unusually plummeted. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that bee-killing pesticides pose the biggest threat to these creatures. Insecticides, that are applied routinely in our agricultural system ply intensive, treacherous effects on the health of bees and their colonies, as the weakening effects allow parasites like Varroa Mites to thrive as the contaminated pollen and nectar carried back to the beehives weaken the health of the bees, especially during the winter periods. “A recent study found the pollen bees collected in agricultural fields and brought back to their hives was contaminated with 35 different pesticides. Pesticide-contaminated pollen reduced the ability of healthy bees to fend off a parasite that causes them to starve to death.” (Center For Land Use) Furthermore, we believe more extensive legislation should be implemented to ensure the safety of bees.
The EPA has recently been involved with creating a lot of policies that help to save the lives of bees. In January of 2017, the EPA announced, “The final Policy to Mitigate the Acute Risk to Bees from Pesticide Products is more flexible and practical than the proposed policy. For example, a product that retains its toxicity to bees for a shorter time might be allowed to be applied under certain circumstances. Also, in some cases, pesticide application would be allowed when it is unlikely that pollinators will be foraging for crops that have extended bloom periods.” (EPA). This policy suggests that bee life will thrive as the application of pesticides will be reduced when bees are present. Moreover, the EPA also began initiating a new labeling system for neonicotinoids. The new labeling is as follows, “The revised labels include specific limits such as “Do not apply this product while bees are foraging. Do not apply this product until flowering is complete and all petals have fallen ….” (EPA). The EPA began implementing this policy in 2017 by sending letters to registrants of pesticides describing steps that must be taken to incorporate the new labeling. Another solution to take into account is the use of Ecological Farming. Ecological agriculture offers many benefits to pollinators such as less exposure to toxic chemicals and protecting the native bees biodiversity. This type of farming restores soil nutrients and avoids pesticides and chemical fertilizers. By reducing the use of harmful chemicals, bee populations will be restored and healthier, ultimately improving pollination which in result improves crop yields. However, more legislation could be implemented that guarantees the health of bees, as well as the openness to additional solutions as well.
Ethically, it comes down to the controversy between using neonicotinoids, or other, safer pesticides for pollinators. “Neonics are systemic pesticides. Unlike contact pesticides, which remain on the surface of the treated foliage, systems are taken up by the plant and transported to all the tissues (leaves, flowers, roots, and stems, as well as pollen and nectar). Products containing neonics can be applied at the root (as seed coating or soil drench) or sprayed onto crop foliage. The insecticide toxin remains active in the plant for many weeks, protecting the crop season-long.” It is debated that neonicotinoids are cheaper and easily distributed by being sprayed over the plants instead of injected. The pesticide readily kills the insects that eat the plant, however, it is damaging to the nectar and pollen, which is killing bees and butterflies. This type of intensive agriculture is extremely detrimental to hive health, as it decreases the mobility of bees and disrupts the bees ability to navigate and find food sources.
Current State of Controversy
When it comes to the current status of the protection of bees and other pollinators in America as a country, the United States Environmental Protection Agency is playing a big role in making a change. The EPA implemented a policy in 2017 which defends bees against agricultural pesticide spray and dust applications when the bees are under contract to provide pollination to the crops. It also prohibits the use of neonicotinoid pesticides while there are bees present. The EPA is also working with pesticide manufacturers to find a new technology that reduces the dust produced by the planting of the pesticide-treated seed, which is toxic to pollinators. They also managed to temporarily halt the approval of outdoor neonicotinoid use until new bee information could be submitted as well as a risk assessment was complete. In Wisconsin, there have been attempts in the past to put a plan in place that would protect pollinators in our state. For example, the Pollinator Protection Plan was a proposed plan that would assist residents to find ways to help the bees and other pollinators by identifying voluntary actions all residents can take to protect managed and wild pollinators. According to Michael Murray, a member of the Agrichemical Management Bureau, the Pollinator Protection Plan is constantly being revised to reflect new information that comes up regarding the protection of pollinators. The Pollinator Protection Plan is a prime example of how the future of the bees and other pollinators depend on us as a generation. There is also research being conducted by the University of Wisconsin - Madison to determine what practices are being utilized to protect the pollinators and their habitats. The results of this research will assist Wisconsin in determining what still needs to be done and what citizens can change in their lifestyle to save the pollinators.
Bees, a pollinating insect, play a sometimes unacknowledged, yet vital role in our ecosystems. A third of all of our food in the US depends on their pollination, and a world without bees would be extremely detrimental for food production. Since the late 1990s, beekeepers have observed the bewildering and rapid disappearance of bees as the rate of decline has unusually plummeted. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that bee-killing pesticides pose the biggest threat to these creatures. Insecticides, that are applied routinely in our agricultural system ply intensive, treacherous effects on the health of bees and their colonies, as the weakening effects allow parasites like Varroa Mites to thrive as the contaminated pollen and nectar carried back to the beehives weaken the health of the bees, especially during the winter periods. “A recent study found the pollen bees collected in agricultural fields and brought back to their hives was contaminated with 35 different pesticides. Pesticide-contaminated pollen reduced the ability of healthy bees to fend off a parasite that causes them to starve to death.” (Center For Land Use) Furthermore, we believe more extensive legislation should be implemented to ensure the safety of bees.
The EPA has recently been involved with creating a lot of policies that help to save the lives of bees. In January of 2017, the EPA announced, “The final Policy to Mitigate the Acute Risk to Bees from Pesticide Products is more flexible and practical than the proposed policy. For example, a product that retains its toxicity to bees for a shorter time might be allowed to be applied under certain circumstances. Also, in some cases, pesticide application would be allowed when it is unlikely that pollinators will be foraging for crops that have extended bloom periods.” (EPA). This policy suggests that bee life will thrive as the application of pesticides will be reduced when bees are present. Moreover, the EPA also began initiating a new labeling system for neonicotinoids. The new labeling is as follows, “The revised labels include specific limits such as “Do not apply this product while bees are foraging. Do not apply this product until flowering is complete and all petals have fallen ….” (EPA). The EPA began implementing this policy in 2017 by sending letters to registrants of pesticides describing steps that must be taken to incorporate the new labeling. Another solution to take into account is the use of Ecological Farming. Ecological agriculture offers many benefits to pollinators such as less exposure to toxic chemicals and protecting the native bees biodiversity. This type of farming restores soil nutrients and avoids pesticides and chemical fertilizers. By reducing the use of harmful chemicals, bee populations will be restored and healthier, ultimately improving pollination which in result improves crop yields. However, more legislation could be implemented that guarantees the health of bees, as well as the openness to additional solutions as well.
Ethically, it comes down to the controversy between using neonicotinoids, or other, safer pesticides for pollinators. “Neonics are systemic pesticides. Unlike contact pesticides, which remain on the surface of the treated foliage, systems are taken up by the plant and transported to all the tissues (leaves, flowers, roots, and stems, as well as pollen and nectar). Products containing neonics can be applied at the root (as seed coating or soil drench) or sprayed onto crop foliage. The insecticide toxin remains active in the plant for many weeks, protecting the crop season-long.” It is debated that neonicotinoids are cheaper and easily distributed by being sprayed over the plants instead of injected. The pesticide readily kills the insects that eat the plant, however, it is damaging to the nectar and pollen, which is killing bees and butterflies. This type of intensive agriculture is extremely detrimental to hive health, as it decreases the mobility of bees and disrupts the bees ability to navigate and find food sources.
Current State of Controversy
When it comes to the current status of the protection of bees and other pollinators in America as a country, the United States Environmental Protection Agency is playing a big role in making a change. The EPA implemented a policy in 2017 which defends bees against agricultural pesticide spray and dust applications when the bees are under contract to provide pollination to the crops. It also prohibits the use of neonicotinoid pesticides while there are bees present. The EPA is also working with pesticide manufacturers to find a new technology that reduces the dust produced by the planting of the pesticide-treated seed, which is toxic to pollinators. They also managed to temporarily halt the approval of outdoor neonicotinoid use until new bee information could be submitted as well as a risk assessment was complete. In Wisconsin, there have been attempts in the past to put a plan in place that would protect pollinators in our state. For example, the Pollinator Protection Plan was a proposed plan that would assist residents to find ways to help the bees and other pollinators by identifying voluntary actions all residents can take to protect managed and wild pollinators. According to Michael Murray, a member of the Agrichemical Management Bureau, the Pollinator Protection Plan is constantly being revised to reflect new information that comes up regarding the protection of pollinators. The Pollinator Protection Plan is a prime example of how the future of the bees and other pollinators depend on us as a generation. There is also research being conducted by the University of Wisconsin - Madison to determine what practices are being utilized to protect the pollinators and their habitats. The results of this research will assist Wisconsin in determining what still needs to be done and what citizens can change in their lifestyle to save the pollinators.