Scientist puts European pesticides ban into question

A LEADING SCIENTIST HAS cast doubt on the European pesticides ban, which began in December 2013.

Foodservice Footprint RS10753_bees_flower_show-29-scr-300x200 Scientist puts European pesticides ban into question Foodservice News and Information Grocery sector news updates Out of Home sector news  University of Sussex The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology pesticides Norman Carrek Dave Goulson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Norman Carrek, a bee researcher at the University of Sussex, suggests that the previous research conducted by his colleague, Dave Goulson, which led to the European ban, was flawed.

 

He has accused Goulson of feeding bumblebees with unrealistically high levels of the pesticide, claiming instead that the dose was several times greater than bees were likely to encounter in fields.

 

Carrek also found that the dose of pesticide was given to the bees at one time, rather than over a long period of time in a way that would mimic real-life foraging habits. Carrek has said that the study was comparable “to the different effects on a human of dinking a bottle of whisky over one hour, 24 hours or longer.”

 

Goulson denies overdosing bees and believes that the ban should be extended beyond December, when it is due to expire.

 

The Centre for Ecology and Hydrology is conducting trials that are expected to influence the decision on where the ban will continue.

 

The looming decision will have a huge impact on the farming community as the European Commission has currently banned farmers from using the most effective pesticides, which has led to many oilseed rape crops to be destroyed.