EPA and Bayer Sued for Bee Deaths

Researched by Kerry Headley

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has evidence of connections between pesticides and the mysterious honey bee die-offs known as “colony collapse disorder” reported across the US, according to leading bee experts and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC.) The NRDC sued when the EPA refused to disclose the results of studies concerning the toxicity of neonicotinoids — a new class of insecticides manufactured by Bayer CropScience that impact the central nervous system of insects. Both Germany and France banned similar neonicotinoids due to concerns about their impact on bees. A German coalition filed charges against Bayer claiming they lost thousands of hives after poisoning by the pesticide clothianidin. Colony collapse disorder has claimed more than one-third of honey bees in the US since it was first identified in 2006. In France, approximately 90 billion bees died over the past 10 years, reducing honey production by up to 60 percent. EPA has failed to respond to NRDC’s Freedom of Information Act request for agency records concerning the toxicity of pesticides to bees, forcing the legal action.

“EPA Buzz Kill: Is the Agency Hiding Colony Collapse Information?” Josh Mogerman, Natural Resource Defense Council.org, 8/18/2008 http://www.nrdc.org/media/2008/080818a.asp

“German Coalition Sues Bayer over Pesticide Honey Bee Deaths” Environmental News Service, ENS Newswire.com, 8/26/2008 http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2008/2008-08-25-01.asp

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EPA and Bayer Sued for Bee Deaths

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