A recent news story in Total Landscape Care, an industry online magazine, reported an incident of a mass killing of around 50,000 bumblebees out of Wilsonville, Oregon. An investigation found that a landscape company had sprayed 65 European Lindens in a parking lot with a neonicotinoid based chemical called Dinotefuran, an active ingredient in product called Safari. The reason behind the treatment was to control aphid populations which fed off the sweet sap in the leaves. Though the aphids are not too damaging by itself, often spurring a population increase of ladybugs, a natural predator of aphids, it was the honeydew dripping on parked cars that sparked the lethal application.
Well, Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is taking the matter very seriously and the treated trees were covered in nets to prevent further kill offs. I'm sure the company responsible of spraying the trees will be punished accordingly but is this enough? However, shouldn't the bigger question be why we have these chemicals to start with, and more so, why are they available in garden stores for anyone to use? I've met many customers who wouldn't blink an eye over spraying what they see is a nuisance. By making these chemicals available to homeowners to rid themselves of their phobia, it is no different than the professional applicator in Oregon who should've known better.
Just last year, Scotts Miracle Gro was fined $12.5 million in penalties from distributing lethal bird food contaminated with insecticides, to reduce pest damage in stored seed. Through an investigation it was discovered that three rogue Scotts employees took it upon themselves to add the insecticide to the seed without company knowledge, the courts felt differently about the responsibilities. Should this same approach apply with the manufacturer of the product as well as the applicator?
Europe has already banned neonicotinoid until a full study can be concluded as to its effects on bee populations. Surely, we here in America should follow suit until we fully understand how this group of chemicals impacts on our environment. However, by doing so maybe an acknowledgement of guilt upon the EPA for approving its use. They are in the process of being sued by a coalition of beekeepers for not properly studying the effects of Neonicotinoids before approving its use. Instead the EPA based its approval on biased results from the manufactures research instead of carrying out its own independent study.
Excellent point! Twinkies are a revolting mess but our instant gratification obsessed society feels more strongly about making sure they have whatever it is they want, instead of thinking about the long term consequences of their choices. When I read about the bee kill off in the news, I actually felt sick to my stomach. It was so upsetting. Humans have lost their respect and understanding of the processes that keep our natural ecosystems healthy because we've created artificial ecosystems within our houses. I hope the beekeepers win their lawsuit but it's a David vs Goliath battle.
ReplyDeleteMost of us have a fear over bee's which leads to them getting little sympathy in cases like this. Hopefully, the more we talk about it the better the understanding will become. As far as David vs. Goliath, the bigger they are the harder they fall. Thanks for reading.
DeleteWe lived in Germany for three years. Not only were pesticides much less available to the general public, but those few products that were sold were kept under lock and key at the garden centers. A much better system! Thanks for a great post !
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! We do it for sudafed and other over the counter medications, so why not with garden chemicals. Still, it will only happen when someone figures out how to make 'meth' from garden chemicals and not to protect our environment. Thanks for commenting.
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