Pesticides+Put+Bees+at+Risk,+European+Watchdog+Confirms

Pesticides put bees at risk, European watchdog confirms, a BBC News article written by Helen Briggs

 * [][[image:https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/1012A/production/_98743856__68794816_68794814.jpg width="287" height="167" caption="Bumblebee"]][[image:http://www.compoundchem.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Neonicotinoid-Pesticides-Their-Effect-on-Bee-Colonies-The-Facts.png width="284" height="204" caption="Neonicotinoids and Bees"]]

Summary:
====This article discusses the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, their effect on bees, and how Europe is regulating these insecticides. Neonicotinoids, the world's most widely used pesticide, represent a risk to wild bees and honeybees, the European Food Safety Administration has confirmed. The uses of these insecticides has been restricted in the European Union since 2013, however, European nations will discuss a European Commission proposal to extend the restriction of these insecticides. The European Food Safety Administration conducted over 1,500 studies researching the 3 major types of neonicotinois, clothianidin, imidacloprid, and theamethoxam, Jose Tarazona, head of the European Food Safety Administration's pesticide unit, said there is some variability in the effects of the insecticides, such as bee species, intended use of the pesticide, and the route of exposure, but nonetheless, the risk to the three types of bees has been confirmed. Bees and other insects are very important for global food production, as they pollinate the majority of crops. In recent years, the decline of pollinators has been associated with disease, habitat loss, and widespread use of pesticides.====

Relation to APES:
====This article directly relates to our course as we have been studying the negative and positive effects of pesticides. This information highlights the harmful relationship between these harsh chemicals and the environment, similar to what we have learned about in class. In chapter 21, the negative effects of pesticides are discussed. These effects include developed genetic resistance, broad-spectrum agents killing good organisms, and the unexpected outcome by wiping out natural predators.====

Opinion:
====Bees are a vital part of our environment and without them, we will not have food. Europe has researched the effects of these hard neonicotinoids and implemented laws to protect the environment, however, the United States has not. We must raise awareness of the effect we are having on bees and other wildlife by using these pesticides and do something to stop it before it is too late.====

Law:
====In Seattle, Washington, in September 2014, Mayor Ed Murray banned the purchase and use of neonicotinoid pesticides in Resolution 31548. This law will help keep their environment safe, even in the absence of federal regulation. Other individual towns and universities, such as, Skagway, Alaska and Emory University in Atlanta, have taken matters into their own hands to regulate these pesticides and save their city.====