France Proposes Ban on Bee Killing Chemical

After studies showing the long term adverse effects of neonicotinoid pesticides the National Agency for Food, Safety and Environment is proposing to ban "Cruiser OSR", an insecticide manufactured by Sygenta and widely used on rape crops.  Rape is grown for oilseed and is prominent for its yellow flowers that bees pollinate.  The French government said it will give Sygenta two weeks to prove the pesticide is not linked to the disorder known as Sudden Colony Collapse. Neonicotinoids affect bees' central nervous system which in turn impairs their navigational abilities. Because this type of pesticide is systemic, meaning a plant absorbs the chemicals and residues remain in flowers and pollen, bees are particularly affected. Of course the profit making company denies their product has any adverse affect on bees. France will also take the matter up with the EU making a continent wide ban on the product a possibility. The evidence against neonicotinoids continues to accumulate. A US study published last month in the Journal of Experimental Biology found bees exposed to this type of pesticide changed behavior in food choices and communication. Exposed bees reduced their "waggle dances" which they use to show other hive members the location of food. Some exposed bees stopped dancing altogether. Sudden colony collapse was first recorded in North America in 2006, now the disorder has spread to Europe. Scientists suspect a number of causative factors are responsible including disease, mite infestations, habitat loss, and pollution as well as pesticides.