Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/399958
and lost profits as a result of neonicotinoid use on plants and crops. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency has a target date of 2015 to complete its review of neonicotinoid pesticides and their impact on bees. That means many years with more discussion and studies, each conclusion being slightly different than the previous one. (Image 14) To reduce bee exposure to pesticides, control blooming weeds such as dandelion before applying insecticides to near-by plants. The use of neonicotinoid insecticides on turfgrass is limited in British Columbia. The concern with these products is larger in Eastern Canada where the products are applied to control European chafer, Japanese beetle and other insect pests. Still, the topic is now in the general press and a cause for concerns by members of the public. Bees are important and everybody wants to see a healthy bee population. Golf course superintendent would be wise to stay informed on the topic and implement measures to address the expected public concerns (Image 15) Drift management is important to protect bees. Pesticide applicators must have a sound understanding of their equipment and the impact of weather conditions on the transport of pesticide particles away from the target area. What is there to do? Remain alert to new information on the topic. The story will remain in the news until firm conclusions can be made. It is likely the neonicotinoid insecticides will continue to be available. However, their use will be scrutinized or restricted and the registration of new active ingredients will be severely delayed. In the meantime, many suggestions can be made to persons currently using pesticides. 1) Reduce the use of neonicotinoid insecticides. In some situations, other less-toxic products can be used. If no replacement is available, prompt action is required by industry officials to register alternative products. (Image 16) Many publications offer useful suggestions to reduce bee poisoning. This publication from Oregon State University is available at the website http://wasba.org/how-to-reduce-bee- poisoning-from-pesticides-pnw-591/ 2) Avoid spraying plants in bloom with either insecticides or fungicides. The flowers will likely be visited by foraging bees. The less exposure to pesticides, the better for the bees. 3) Avoid drift to near-by plants and standing water. Bees may drink from standing water and bring to the hive the contaminated water. 4) Provide alternate habitat. Food and nesting sites away from pesticide treatment areas will provide a refuge for bees and reduce their potential exposure to pesticide residue. Continued From Page 38 Apocalyptic headlines make for great front page news stories, there's no question. Unfortunately, when it comes to highly complex and scientific issues, these kinds of headlines usually do a disservice to the topic at hand. Scientific research is filled with intricacies and rarely yields answers that can be conveyed in a single headline. Far too often in this day and age we're seeing sensationalism trump science. The issue of neonicotinoids (a type of insecticide) and bee health is prime example of this. Earlier this year, a study out of Harvard University claiming to show negative impacts of neonicotinoids on bees captured media attention across the globe. The media overwhelmingly concluded that neonicotinoids are at the heart of bee health challenges. What unfortunately hasn't been reported is that the Harvard study has been widely discredited by the scientific community. It dramatically over exaggerated typical exposures of bees to neonics and made a link to Colony Collapse Disorder that simply isn't supported by the evidence. In June, a group calling itself the IUCN Task Force on Systemic Pesticides began a media tour touting the findings of its study into the decline of the global insect population. The polished news conferences, high-quality video and coordinated calls for action against pesticides by known anti-pesticide activists made this look a lot more like a sophisticated public relations effort rather than meaningful scientific dialogue. At the time of this media tour, the report had not yet been made publicly available. It seems to me to go against the ethical code of scientists to embark on a world- wide media tour promoting research findings without giving the scientific community an opportunity to validate the findings. This, however, did not stop the decisive and conclusive headlines about the impact of neonicotinoids on a number of creatures, including bees, other insects and birds. To lay the blame for a collection of environmental issues at the feet of a single technology is very convenient but hugely overly simplistic. Activists lobbying to ban neonicotinoids – and other pesticides – continually call for independent research on the topic. While the pest control industry certainly welcomes new research on our products, it is naive to think that research done external to industry cannot be biased. Many of the so-called independent researchers looking at neonics have built their careers on reinforcing the message that pesticides are bad. Producing research that supports this message is what keeps the flow of research funding coming. In Canada, pesticides are regulated by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). We have one of the most rigorous scientific evaluation processes in the world. The PMRA reviews all available scientific data when assessing whether or not a pesticide is safe for both humans and the environment. This is a key point. The PMRA looks at all available research and makes its decision based on the weight of scientific evidence, not by cherry picking individual studies. This is at the very heart of Canada's science- based regulatory system. The plant science industry is steadfastly committed to the safe and responsible use of our products. Insecticide-treated seed is an important part of agricultural production, innovation and sustainability. It has been successfully used by Canadian farmers for about a decade, most notably in Western Canada where neonics are used to treat canola and bee populations continue to thrive. Scientists around the world overwhelmingly agree that the major causes of bee health issues are disease, weather and beekeeping practices. One need only look to Australia where the bee population is healthier than ever despite the widespread use of neonics. The reason? Likely because in Australia there's no Varroa mite, the most pervasive bee-killing pest. Bee health is undisputedly a topic of great importance. Our industry has taken a number of important steps to protect bee health both directly and in partnership with other stakeholders. This is an issue that requires collaboration and co- operation. To ensure the health of Canada's bee population as well as the continued success of our agricultural sector, it's critical that science prevail over sensationalism. Sincerely, Pierre Petelle Vice-president, chemistry, CropLife Canada iene or ensationalis WESTERN CANADA TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION 41