September 28th, 2009
Un – bee –lievable!
Following recent media coverage, many of us are now aware that the bee population is diminishing at an alarming rate.
We need our bees! The pollination of our plants is a crucial part of our environment, without this service UK agriculture will undoubtedly suffer. In fact there is a figure that represents the financial worth of these insects – £12.4 billion a year!
The cause of the problem is a nicotine based pesticide called neonicotinoid. It is seed/soil based chemical, it is coated rather than sprayed and does indeed serve its purpose. However, once the bees, when going about their daily business, come into contact with it the problems start.
Neonicotinoid does not actually kill the bees, which is why its use is justified, it stresses them to such a degree that it effects their reproduction and so eventually their colonies start collapse.
Although this synthetic pesticide is not targeted at the bee, its ongoing damage is apparent. Should that not be enough reason to start looking for an alternative?
