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Saturday, December 01, 2012

Bees and the Rachel Carson legacy



Insects and Insecticides

Written evidence submitted by The Wildlife Trusts
The Wildlife Trusts welcome the opportunity to submit evidence to the Environment Audit Committee (EAC) regarding insects and insecticides.
Our evidence focuses on neonicotinoid insecticides, in particular:
· The impacts of neonicotinoids on insect pollinators (honeybees, bumblebees, hoverflies, butterflies and moths)
· Half-life in soil; routes of exposure and contamination of non- target vegetation (such as that found along field margins)
· Impacts on ecosystems in the agricultural landscape
· Inadequacy of risk assessment for these types of insecticides
The Wildlife Trusts’ position
1. There is a growing body of evidence that shows that neonicotinoids have a detrimental effect at sub-lethal doses on insect pollinators. For this reason, The Wildlife Trusts believe that until it can be categorically proven that neonicotinoids are not adversely impacting pollinator populations, and by extension ecosystem health, Government should adopt the precautionary principle and place a moratorium on their use on all outdoor crops.