Researchers say a new discovery may help to create pesticides that don’t kill bees. But critics say we need to move away from a ‘chemical mindset’ altogether.
Scientists say they have made a “breakthrough” that could lead to bee-friendly pesticides — but environmentalists argue that the only solution is to switch to organic alternatives.
The development is the latest in the ongoing debate over neonicotinoids, which are among the most toxic pesticides for bees and other insects.
Researchers from the University of Exeter’s non-profit Rothamsted Research center and pesticide producer Bayer AG, say their findings, published Thursday, are key to production of pesticides that protect crops without causing harm to bee populations.
“This knowledge can help us avoid wasting time and money on pesticides that end up with use restrictions due to intrinsic bee toxicity,” Chris Bass from the University of Exeter said.
Not all pesticides are the same
Use of neonicotinoids was restricted by the European Union (EU) in 2013. Last month, the EU’s food safety watchdog confirmed that the pesticides harm bee populations. Several earlier studies have also shown that neonicotinoids affect the brains and bodies of bees and other insects, changing their behavior and reducing their fertility and lifespan.
But Lin Field, head of biointeractions and crop protection at Rothamsted Research, says pesticides shouldn’t all be “tarred with the same brush.”
For more read the full of article at The Dw
