Should The EU Ban On Neonicotinoids?

However, agriculture is the central issue. While pesticides are being used to keep crops alive, a benefit to farmers, the natural ecosystem is not exactly experiencing the same effect; the ecosystem is being destroyed. An effective way agriculturists can improve on decreasing the amount of pesticides is to use continuous production, where it is reusing the fields, without wasting and hurting them.

Before doing research I was unaware of these alternatives and all it took was a couple of minutes for me to realize we should be supporting other methods. One in particular is called the integrated pest management (IPM). According to the National Center for Healthy Housing, “IPM is effective, economical, and environmentally sensitive. It uses a combination of common-sense practices, information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment” (Zahm 2008). It represents the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment. Therefore, the first step to help reduce this issue would be to educate the public. Many do not understand the risks they are facing by allowing their environment to be contaminated with the chemicals produced in pesticides. Also, it would help to join campaigns to enforce federal agencies to require a stricter law that will suspend pesticides that are linked to causing human health problems. Although, it would be unrealistic to get rid of pesticides completely, the public should be seeking to abolish the most dangerous type of pesticides and that would be a start. I would love to find an organization like this by where I live and recommend people to join and volunteer. So, in regards to pesticides I think the things that this organization is raising public attention and helping resolve this concern. Crops that are

Contrary to what some may believe, there are advantages and progression when it comes to food biotechnology and the genetically modified foods being produced by farmers today. GMO crops allow farmers less toxic pesticides on their fields. In the article Playing God in the Garden, the author discusses his experience of meeting a potato farmer. With further discussion the farmer Danny Forsyth explains how he cannot go out to his field until four or five days after its been sprayed because the toxic chemical including an organophosphate called monitor is a deadly chemical that has been found to cause neurological damage. With the New Leaf Plus which is protected from leafroll virus as well as beetles, he is able to skip a few sprayings at a time

As scientists and beekeepers keep on looking into the situation that they are all facing, one conclusion is definite, pesticides do have a lethal effect on the bees. Some symptoms that would lead to a bee’s death would be the weakened immune system, disrupted digestion, and the result of the brain failing. In Science Magazine, an article was written about oh the European countries have been effected by the decrease of bees, “Confused honey bees huddled trembling outside

Neonicotinoids, specifically, can remain in the soil for years, and will eventually be soaked up by the new plants that grow and come in contact with it. When a honeybee arrives at the blossom to collect pollen, much of the bee’s body is exposed to neonics. This exposure will likely cause the bee to become sick and eventually die. Our textbook defines sustainable agriculture as: “Agricultural methods that maintain soil productivity and a healthy ecological balance while having minimal long-term impacts.” When discussing the benefits and problems of using pesticides to control agricultural pests, we are introduced to the terms, “narrow-spectrum pesticides” and “broad-spectrum pesticides”. Narrow-spectrum pesticides are described as ideal, because they kill only the intended organism, without harming other species. However, the pesticides that are being used the most are broad-spectrum pesticides, which is why our precious bees have become collateral damage (Berg, Linda R.,Visualizing Environmental Science,

Humans rely on a handful of species in those neat, ordered rows that somehow give the illusion that nature is manageable. In this search to control we created monocultures. Ireland showing us just how dangerous that can be with the potato blight in 1845. Yet we continue creating monocultures. In our search for control we have instead become dependent. Dependent upon among other things, pesticides. In response to this, the

Goulson shows a battle in whether pesticides , which are regarded as the materials that can harm crop pollinator should be forbidden.According to his research ,the chemicals in the pesticides can spread widely through pollinators , and little of the toxin may lead to the death of the bees. What's more ,if the exposure of the chemical to very low levels of neonicotinoids that are not sufficient to kill the bees but can influence the abilities and the behaviors .There are also some other researches but they are not convincing because of some obvious shortcomings.On the other hand , neonicotinoids can provide economic benefits and those are difficult to substitute. As a result, it is still a controversy should those pesticides can be

If there isn’t enough pollen to fertilize plants, then they will not grow, and if they don’t grow we can’t harvest the fruits and vegetables that they provide, causing us to lose a portion of our food supply. The European Commission(EC) said it intended to impose a two-year ban on neonicotinoids. The EC action will restrict the use of three major neonicotinoids on seeds, plants, and grains, beginning December 1st. A recent study found that unstable amounts of neonicotinoids in bee hives can interfere with the bee’s ability to find its way back to its hive and also can affect the reproduction rate in the queen bee. Neonicotinoid combined with other pesticides can suppress the bee’s immune system, making it easier for them to catch diseases. Eric Mussen, and apiculturist, noted that the case against pesticides is not a clear-cut. Honeybees are apparently doing fine in Australia and Canada, yet neonicotinoids are widely used there.

This paper argues that there needs to be a greater harmonization of legislation regulating highly hazardous pesticides used in agriculture within all nations. With the numerous studies conducted illustrating the harmful effects to human health and environment, this stricter control of legislation across developed and developing countries is of utmost importance. This requires each nation to have a complete understanding of the methods and practices used to regulate pesticides in other countries and work together to converge the various approaches. It is the role of the government to find a responsible balance between enabling judicious pesticide use where such use is necessary to achieve desirable crop production levels, and reducing the

Even limited exposure can have widespread consequences; some of the smallest sea creatures being affected are transmitting the disease all the way up to the food chain. Yet, more than half of the nation’s aquifers are contaminated, affecting the daily use of drinking water for the human population. Over the years, the decimation of many non-targeted species of bees, beneficial insects, soil microorganisms and worms have reduced in size in the face of pesticide exposure. As the colonies of bees are subjected to the numerous pressures of pesticides, the abundance and diversity of flowers and plants has declined. Reducing concentrations of essential plant nutrients in the soil weakens the plant root systems, eliminating the food sources that living

Having ecologically friendly farms is very worthy for the ecological system, the national economy and a healthy human feeding. Indeed, the ban on some harmful pesticides would stimulate the growth of bees populations which play an important role in crop and other plant pollination (Jha & correspondent, 2011). The first impact of bee populations would be the increase in the productivity of crop farm and plants. While looking for their food, bees will actively foster pollination which will result in a rise in yield. Therefore, crop productivity will be multiplied as well as the productivity of plants. Having more productive plants means having enough food for the animals (including bird, mammals and insects) and enough seed for plants reproduction.

Critics fear that continual use of chemicals could result in “super weeds” and “super bugs”.

“A Who's Who of pesticides is therefore of concern to us all,” said Rachel Carson, American marine biologist, conservationist, and author of Silent Spring, “If we are going to live so intimately with these chemicals eating and drinking them, taking them into the very marrow of our bones - we had better know something about their nature and their power.” Pesticides are typically used to get rid of pests on crops or even in a person’s home. Despite the great work pesticides do for crops or getting rid of pests in the home, they have many adverse side effects on human health. Pesticide can cause cancer, birth defects and disorders in children and infants, and contain many dangerous chemicals. (Howard, 119)

As the global population move into an increased dependence on technology, there is a negative feedback observed between natural ecosystem and humans. That is, the resources from plants and animals, unfortunately, becomes the driving force for our conspicuous consumption. However, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an organisation that helps to mitigate some of this unsustainable means of production. Their main mission is to manage the world’s forest in a way that promotes environmental, social and economic prosperity. One of the initiatives set up by this organisation to help meet their goal is the FSC Pesticide Policy.

One concern about pesticides and herbicide usage is the amount of residues left on the end product of crops sprayed with the chemicals, and their effects on human health. (Williamson, 2007, p. 184). However, these effects are closely tested and levels are strictly regulated to ensure there is no danger from possible pesticide residues. Since 1910, many rules, regulations, and agencies have been formed to monitor the safety of the pesticides and herbicides used in conventional farming. These chemicals must meet specific safety standards in order to be registered for use, and regulations on levels of each product safe for use are also put in place. (Tafel et al.,2007, p.184). All pesticides are rigorously examined to ensure they have no significant effects on human health, or the environment. The residues in the food chain are closely monitored, and regularly tested, to ensure they are below legal limits. In a recent survey of residues