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Please be patient, though-- sometimes translation may take up to a minute. |
Background Imidacloprid is an insecticide molecule (1-[6- chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine) used in commercial insecticide products ranging from field crop seed treatments to termite prevention. Admire, Condifor, Gaucho, Premier, Premise, Provado, and Marathon Impower 60 WP and Merit 60 WP are products that contain imidacloprid. Although often mentioned in the same breath, Helix does not contain imidacloprid. In the developed world, where crops are grown in large acreages, managed bees are essential to producing large yields and well filled crops. In less developed places, natural pollinators, including wild bees provide the service free of charge. Estimates of the percentage of the food we eat that is directly dependant on insect pollination are quite sobering. According to S.E. McGregor's book, Insect Pollination of Cultivated Crop Plants, Agriculture Handbook No. 496, ARS (USDA), 1976, on page1 it says: "When these sources, the animal and plant products, are considered, it appears that perhaps one-third of our total diet is dependent, directly or indirectly upon insect-pollinated plants". He goes on to say, though, that fruit quality and agricultural efficiency are also largely influenced by insect pollination. Beekeepers at one time or another have continuing problems with just about any insecticide that is applied outdoors. After all, our "livestock" are insects and they cannot and should not be fenced. Even if weather conditions are ideal for spraying chemicals, there is always some drift, and many chemicals also volatize. Sometimes there is wash-down into puddles where bees drink. The effects can be very subtle and hard to trace. The effect on bees, both natural and managed -- if any -- of any new chemical introduced into the environment is naturally of concern to beekeepers, to growers who depend on bees and other insects for pollination of their crops, and to environmentalists and others concerned about maintaining a balance in nature and in preserving life in all its forms. Naturally, this emerging controversy over the effects of imidacloprid on bees is not good news for the chemical companies and researchers who have invested money and reputations on this new product in good faith either. This product was designed to reduce risks to users and the environment, not increase them. Understandably, some of the people on both sides of this new debate have entrenched positions, but most are honestly interested in the facts. The purpose of this site is to try to assemble the ideas and comments of people on both sides of this issue. It is an attempt to present as much material as possible without (much) editorial judgment and to let the viewer decide. If I sometimes favour the protesters a bit, please forgive me. They have not the massive resources, time and money behind them that the companies and researchers promoting the product have had. Their story must be heard too. Moreover, it seems that they do not have full and free access to the research data that is used to back the claims that the product is safe and are thus, understandably suspicious. Sometimes factual errors may be repeated here. Knowing the erroneous arguments is a necessary antecedent to rebutting them. If you discover any, misinformation, please advise me, but please understand that unless all the issues are brought out and addressed, the debate will not go away. I trust that the people on all sides of this issue act in good faith, with the best interest of present and future generations in mind. Just to be upfront, I am a beekeeper, and thus a bit more passionately interested in the welfare insects than others may be, but I am also a member of the community and interested in the well-being of my human neighbours, and of consumers. |
