News Release
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A neonic ban not supported by science, and would make things worse
By Terry Daynard
Some environmental groups have called for a ban on use of neonicotinoid insecticides. They support this with questionable information and claims. This column provides an alternative perspective.
Neonic insecticides do kill insects, including bees if not used carefully. In some situations, with certain dust-emitting corn planters, there can be deaths at seeding time in spring. Farmers, seed and equipment suppliers, and governments have moved quickly to reduce this risk. Preliminary statistics from Health Canada indicate springtime bee deaths were down significantly in 2014.
But to state that neonics are “the primary cause” of increased bee mortality – especially over-winter mortality - is simply not supported by science. Bee experts tell me that bee deaths are caused by a combination of factors with farm pesticides being but one. The arrival of varroa mites a few years back, coupled with the diseases which they spread and the use of within-hive pesticides for their control, are critical factors. Transport of bees for hundreds of miles for commercial pollination services does not help either.
Poor nutrition was another big factor last winter. Many bees - which don’t hibernate but cluster within hives and vibrate to keep warm - simply ran out of food reserves and starved. Readers seeking more information on bee mortality are referred to a web site managed by the widely recognized bee guru Randy Oliver (no champion of pesticides) at www.scientificbeekeeping.com.
Some claim that seed-applied neonics kill bees exposed to corn pollen later in the season. But canola seed is also treated with neonics (same per-acre application rate as corn) and bees flourish in Canadian canola fields. This is even though European research indicates that bee exposure to neonics is about 10 times greater with canola flowers than with corn pollen.
Neonics are long-lasting which often means detectable soil residues (typically at 1-10 parts per billion) but also protection for food crops. Neonics are sometimes found in rural ponds/sloughs, but at concentrations of parts per trillion, similar to that for caffeine and Tylenol in the Great Lakes.
The two-year moratorium in Europe was imposed in December 2013 by politicians, not the science-based European Food Safety Authority, Europe’s equivalent to Health Canada. Australia, with abundant neonic usage but no varroa, has low bee mortality.
The EU moratorium has only now become effective for autumn-sown crops. This fall, unprotected canola plants (called oilseed rape in Europe) have been attacked extensively by flea beetles. The result has been both large crop losses (45,000 acres in the UK, alone – more than the entire Ontario canola acreage in 2014) and increased insecticide spraying. Many farmers have sprayed three or more times. The UK has authorized emergency spraying of two new pesticide products (ironically, both neonics) to help.
And organic farmers don’t have the answer. Some have suggested hand-picking or covering plants with mesh - good for a garden, maybe, but farm fields?
Neonics are used in more than agriculture, largely because of proven safety for non-insect species including humans, mammal, fish and birds. Control of pet fleas is one. Control of the European Ash Borer is another. Ban advocates never mention this.
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Terry Daynard farms in Wellington County and is a former associate dean, research and innovation, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph
