Clue Bus Arrives: British Beekeepers' Assn. Moving Away From Sponsorships From Pesticide Companies

[hatrack]

The British Beekeepers’ Association is moving away from cash sponsorship deals with pesticide manufacturers after concerns that the chemicals may be harmful to bees. Bee numbers in Britain are down 54 per cent in 20 years, double the rate of the rest of Europe, according to research by the University of Reading.

The 135-year-old charity endorses four pesticides — synthetic pyrethroids — used to combat the varroa mite that is linked to the collapse of colonies. In return, for the past 12 years the association has received £17,500 a year from Bayer Crop Sciences and Syngenta. This relationship angered many members and some left the association. Phil Chandler, a writer and beekeeper from Devon, set up a rival campaign, Biobees, to promote chemical-free beekeeping.

Research from China indicates that synthetic pyrethroids are toxic to bees and cut the number of eggs hatched.

Companies have introduced new pesticides, neonicotonoids, which are also blamed for wiping out bees. They are banned in France, Italy, Germany and Slovenia, and the Soil Association, which champions organic farming, wants a similar ban here.

EDIT

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article7116321.ece

[hedgehog]

1. I saw a few honey bees on the old apple tree out back. It's

better than last year when I saw none. In previous years, that tree was swarming with bees and you could hear them as you came down the path. Silent Spring, indeed!

[bvar22]

2. Our Honey Bees thank the Brits!

One of the reasons we moved so far out into The Woods in 2006 was to keep our Bees protected from Pesticides and GM Crops.



http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=280x34941

[Nihil]

6. Love that photo!

(And the other ones at your link.)
:applause:

[XemaSab]

3. I saw three honeybees on one scabiosa a few minutes ago

The 3-b gardening is really working out for us. (I also hit 99 bird species for the yard yesterday! Not too shabby for a modest lot in the middle of the city. :woohoo:)

[myrna minx]

4. "You're covered in bees" - Eddie Izzard n/t

[pscot]

5. WTF

n/t

[kestrel91316]

7. I still see far too many dead/dying bees on the sidewalk as I go on my walks.

It's much worse than it was years ago.

When I was in the house, I used to find a little pile of dead bees underneath the back porch light (CFL) in the morning. The bees in the apricot tree had a good view of it, and I always wondered why it seemed to attract and kill them AT NIGHT.