BIZMOLOGY — A tiny insect known for its diligent work ethic is causing a divide among scientists, environmentalists, farmers, and agricultural chemical manufacturers around the world.
For several years honeybees have been dying off on a mass scale — a phenomenon known as colony collapse disorder. In the US the number of colonies has decreased from 3 million in 1990 to 2.5 million this year, according to a recent US Department of Agriculture report. US beekeepers say they have lost 40 to 50 percent of their hives and many blame a new form of pesticide — neonicotinoids. The chemical, which is related to nicotine, was first widely used in 2005 and is found in pesticide products manufactured by companies such as Bayer and Monsanto.
But scientists disagree about what exactly is causing the problem. While some say pesticide exposure is the main culprit, others point to multiple factors contributing to bee deaths.
However, all agree that the world’s agricultural crop industry relies heavily on the black-and-yellow workers. In the US, pollination contributes to $20 billion-$30 billion in agricultural production annually. And an estimated one-third of all food and beverages are made possible by pollination. Any decline in bee population can have severe consequences on agriculture.
The evidence (or more likely the lack thereof) that pesticides are killing bees was enough for European officials to act. This spring the European Union approved a two-year ban on neonicotinoids and two other widely used pesticides. Earlier this month the EU broadened the ban to include another type of pesticide called fipronil. The bans will be in place until further research about honeybees and pesticides is conducted.
In the US, government regulators have yet to enact similar bans and have attributed bee population loss to multiple factors such as disease, poor nutrition, genetics, and parasites, in addition to pesticide exposure. The USDA said that more research is needed to determine the risks presented by pesticides.
However, individual states have the power to restrict the use of pesticides and may enact stricter regulations. For example, Oregon recently placed a temporary ban on more than a dozen pesticides following the deaths of an estimated 50,000 bees in the Portland area. The situation inspired two House Democrats to propose federal legislation to ban certain pesticides linked to bee deaths. The bill seeks to temporarily restrict use until the EPA can determine if the chemicals are in fact causing the deaths of thousands of bees around the country.
Industry Impact
Increased awareness of pesticides’ impact on honeybees and other pollinators could lead to more bans on certain agricultural chemicals in the US and in other countries. Agricultural chemical manufacturers that make such chemicals could lose sales or face increased operational costs if pesticides are more strictly regulated. Some agrichemical companies are funding bee research and hosting summits in efforts to promote bee health and protect sales of their pesticides.