Bees just got a helping hand from the European Union who banned outdoor use of harmful pesticides.
With several types of bees and bumblebees on the endangered-species list, some governments are starting to do their part to protect the lives of these essential pollinators.
The European Union voted Friday to ban outdoor use of pesticides that harms bees. Specifically, there's now a complete ban on three substances referred to as neonicotinoids -- imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam. Scientific studies have shown that these substances can harm bees when used outside.
Also at EU Times.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 30 2018, @12:58AM (1 child)
Talk to beekeepers and they will tell you what is up and exactly what is killing their livestock. It is mites. We do not have a good way to kill/control them other than formic acid. There is a possibility that the pesticides used are weaking the bees defense against them. The science unfortunately here is poor and 'we do not know'. Pulling the pesticides is a good 'try' but may or may not fix the actual issue. Which we do not know what it is. This is basically a shot in the dark.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 30 2018, @07:20PM
yeah, that's the point. it's weakening the bees to the point that something that was already dangerous for them is now wiping them out. assuming the bees can even find their way home after being gassed.