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In May 2018 the European Union (EU) banned three major pesticides that contribute to colony collapse, namely clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam.
Pesticides as a threat
These therefore may not be used to treat agricultural crops. As, for example, the website The Telegraph reports. France went a bit further and became the first EU country to ban two more – thiacloprid and acetamiprid – not only on outdoor crops but also in greenhouses.
A number of studies indicate that neonicotinoid pesticides attack the central nervous system of insects, leading to loss of memory and related abilities. Bees that cannot find their way back to the hive quickly die. However, it has been found that the pesticides also affect butterflies, birds and other pollinating insects.
Testing of pesticides
Already in the 1990s these pesticides were tested on French fields and French farmers witnessed the catastrophic effects that occurred in 1994.
Around 400,000 bee colonies died within a few days, but everything was swept under the rug by corrupt pressures and the test results were deliberately altered.
Beekeepers and environmentalists welcomed the ban on all five neonicotinoids, but French farmers stated that they now have no effective alternative to protect some crops from pests (e.g. cereals and sugar beet).
Some farmers also point out that there is insufficient evidence that neonicotinoids are responsible for the decline in bee numbers.
They also say it will only deepen unfair competition with European and non-European producers from countries where these pesticides are still allowed to be used.
What do the beekeepers say?
Beekeepers are satisfied, but they said that while the ban is a good thing, it will not significantly protect bee colonies, because once these pesticides are withdrawn they will be replaced by others.
However, this step represents an example of nature protection that would be good for other countries to follow as well.
How will the Czech Republic likely react? Will it follow France or will it play „dead“?
