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Common Dreams reports
Agrochemical giants Syngenta and Bayer discovered in their own tests that their pesticides caused severe harm to bees, according to unpublished documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request by the environmental group Greenpeace.
The companies conducted the trials on products that used the controversial pesticides known as neonicotinoids, or neonics, which have long been linked to rapid bee decline. Neonics are also the world's most commonly used pesticide.
According to their own studies, Syngenta's thiamethoxam and Bayer's clothianidin were found to cause severe harm at high levels of use, although the effect was lessened when used under 50 parts per billion (ppb) and 40ppb respectively, the Guardian reports.
However, as Greenpeace notes, the research "assumes a very narrow definition of harm to bee health and ignores wild bees which evidence suggests are more likely to be harmed by neonicotinoids".
That means the findings may "substantially underestimate" the impact of neonics, Greenpeace said.
[...] the studies are not realistic. The bees were not exposed to the neonics that we know are in planting dust, water drunk by bees, and wildflowers wherever neonics are used as seed treatments. This secret evidence highlights the profound weakness of regulatory tests.
Our previous discussions about neonicotinoids.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 24 2016, @01:56AM
Just because its not surprising does not make it news. I really appreciate this news story, it makes complaints about these things legitimate instead of having to convince people its something to worry about. Now we can say "see, they knew it was bad and said nothing, evil fucks." Before: "they're evil fuckers killing the planet," but they looked at him and said "what a loon, thinks there's a conspiracy everywhere."
OP you are the one we question, bringing up a tired protest that just makes everyone think you're a corporate shill. Quick! Minimize the discussion!
NOW. How about some consequences for these corporations? I think every farmer everywhere has a good chance at a class action lawsuit against these shitty death dealers. One can only hope it bankrupts them and we are forced to return to somewhat natural farming practices...
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 24 2016, @02:03AM
Shit, "Just because its not surprising does not mean it isn't news..."