neonicotinoids
Following ‘neonics’ through the food chain
Canadian province sticks to phase-down of neonic pesticides
The national pesticide regulator in Canada says neonicotinoid pesticides are largely safe for honeybees but the province of Ontario "is holding fast to stringent rules that restrict their use," says the London Free Press.
‘Neonic’ seed coating ineffective against late-emerging soy pests
Neonicotinoid pesticides are used as a seed treatment on 80 percent of corn land and 40 percent of soybean acreage in the United States, says Purdue U in releasing a publication that assesses the pesticides value in soybeans.
‘Neonic’ pesticide is risk to honeybees, says EPA assessment
Imidacloprid, a widely used neonicotinoid pesticide, is a potential threat to honeybee hives as well as individual bees when used on crops that attract pollinators, the EPA said in a preliminary risk assessment.
Settlement talk in USDA scientist whistleblower case
An administrative law judge set a Jan 6 session to discuss a possible settlement of a complaint by a USDA scientist of mistreatment after he suggested neonicotinoid pesticides are a threat to insects that pollinate crops, said the Washington Post.
Complaint accuses USDA of squelching ‘neonic’ research
A senior scientist at USDA's Agricultural Research Service filed a whistleblower complaint that accuses the department of "suppressing research findings that could call into question the use of a popular pesticide class that is a revenue powerhouse for the agrichemical industry," said Harvest Public Media.
Study identifies seven pesticides that kill few bees
A test of 42 commonly used pesticides found seven that killed practically no bees, including the neonicotinoid acetamiprid and the weedkiller glyphosate, said the Entomological Society of America. In the study by scientists from USDA's Agricultural Research Service and Mississippi State University, 26 pesticides, including neonicotinoids, organophosphates and pyrethroids killed nearly all the bees that came into contact with the pesticide sprays.
Appeals court vacates EPA approval of ‘neonic’ sulfoxaflor
EU watchdog says ‘neonic’ sprays pose risk to honeybees
The European Food Safety Authority says leaf spraying of neonicotinoid pesticides poses a risk to honeybees, "reinforcing previous research that led to EU restrictions," reports Reuters.
“Neonic” insecticides found in half of U.S. streams tested
Neonicotinoid insecticides were found in a little more than half of the streams sampled from 2011-14 in a study of the prevalence of pesticides and other contaminants in waterways, said the U.S. Geological Survey.
Court tells EPA to decide on pesticide by Oct. 31
Early British rapeseed yields up slightly after EU neonic ban
Initial figures on Britain's rapeseed harvest show yields are slightly above the 10-year average, says the Independent. This is the first harvest since the EU banned use of neonicotinoid pesticides out of concern that they harm honeybees and other pollinating insects.
Ontario sets limits on use of “neonic”-coated seeds
The provincial government of Ontario "is moving to take the sting out of pesticides that are killing bees," says the Toronto Star. On July 1, Ontario will be first jurisdiction in North America to limit plantings of corn and soybean seeds coated with neonicotinoid pesticides, says The Star...
Neonicotinoid not the sole villain in honeybee losses
A widely used insecticide, the neonicotinoid imidacloprid, "does not significantly harm honey bee colonies at real-world doses," contrary to concerns that neonics, as they are called, are to blame for population declines, says a University of Maryland study.
Shelve neonicotinoids, foodmakers tell administration
Some 118 foodmakers, including Clif Bar, Nature’s Path, Organic Valley and Stonyfield, called on the Obama administration to suspend immediately the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on grounds they are driving down honeybee populations.
Ontario proposes limits on “neonic” pesticides
The provincial government of Ontario proposed a three-point initiative to reduce use of corn and soybean seed treated with neonicotinoid pesticides by 80 percent by 2017, to reduce over-wintering deaths of honeybees by 15 percent by 2020 and to develop a comprehensive plan for pollinator health, says the CBC.
“Neonic” treatment of soybean seed isn’t worth the cost
The practice of coating soybean seed with neonicotinoid pesticides as a safeguard against insect damage provides "negligible overall benefits to soybean production in most situations," says an EPA analysis.
Ontario aims to “meaningfully reduce” use of neonicotinoids
The provincial government in Ontario will try to "meaningfully reduce" the use of neonicotinoid pesticides in 2015, says Premier Kathleen Wynne, according to Country Guide, Canada's oldest farm publication. The so-called neonics are blamed in part for the deep decline in honeybee populations.The Varroa mite and other pests as well as harsh weather have been cited as causes too.