EPA’s ‘Ingenious’ Plan to Protect Bees from Pesticides: Print Some Stickers
August 22-2013
EPA’s ‘Ingenious’ Plan to Protect Bees from Pesticides Print Some Stickers
In a ground breaking new move this month the EPA has figured out the ‘bee’ all end all solution to neonicotinoid pesticides and its deadly effects on bee populations. No they didn’t ban them or limit their use. Instead the EPA has issued new labels that tell those who apply these deadly pesticides to be careful because “this product can kill bees.” The sheer ingenuity that it took come up with such a solution is astonishing. This idea must have taken EPA scientists years to develop. We can now go comfortably back to not caring about our food supply because the EPA has solved the bee problem once and for all.
Obviously the previous paragraph has a hint of sarcasm in it but the issue of neonicotinoids and the harms associated with them are no laughing matter. As REALfarmacy has pointed out neonicotinoids are at the root of global wildlife declines. They have also been shown to cause harm on a genetic level as well.
Neonicotinoids are persistent environmental toxins that have been tied to colony collapse disorder in bees and are even shown to kill small mammals. The ban happy government agency responsible for outlawing ‘silly string’ and ‘noise horns’ in the 90’s has found itself incapacitated when it comes to dealing with neonicotinoids.
Not that a ban is the solution to this monolithic chemical agricultural disaster that is the US food system; it simply illustrates the actual subservience of the EPA to its chemical manufacturing overlords. Neonicotinoids would likely never have made it onto the market without government subsidies of the largely unsustainable farming practices that require so many chemical and industrial inputs.
The real solution to this horrible state of affairs will never come from government regulation. The EPA also known as Monsanto is beholden to the almighty dollar and the agri-giants have lots of dollars. However they get these dollars from people like me and you. Without our support they cannot bribe their way through the world leaving a chemical cesspool behind them in their wake. To quote a great pioneer of sustainable agriculture, Joel Salatin, “You, as a food buyer, have the distinct privilege of proactively participating in shaping the world your children will inherit.” So let’s get to it, grow your own, support your local organic farmer, and end this ridiculousness once and for all!