Re: Fwd: Have you heard the buzz? OT/BBCT response

January 11, 2011

Hi Tracey,

I've already signed the petition, but, thought that this might be of interest:

BBCT e-newsletter

January 2011

Just a quick note to give you BBCT's perspective on the current Avaaz

anti-neonicotinoid pesticide campaign

BBCT's response to the Avaaz anti-pesticide campaign

Avaaz is a 6.5-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that

the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making

Yesterday they launched a campaign to urge the US and EU to suspend

neonicotinoid pesticides. The full text of their campaign publicity can be read

here. Many of you may subscribe to the Avaaz newsletter (as do I) so I wanted to

write to you and clarify BBCT's position on this. If the issue of bee declines

is as simple to solve as a ban on neonicotinoids then you might well wonder why

BBCT is diverting most of its resources to habitat creation and restoration.

Our response to them, posted publicly on our website, is as follows:

BBCT share concerns about growing evidence suggesting that some pesticides,

including neonicotinoids, are harmful to bees. [Note to BBCT supporters - if you

share our concerns you might consider printing, signing and posting a letter to

your MP. A template is available here on the website of our conservation

partners, Buglife.]

However, there are some statements in the Avaaz summary which, based on BBCT's

understanding of the scientific evidence, are not well supported. This weakens

their position and threatens to make hard-won signatures less valuable.

Furthermore, they make a strong case for pesticides being the root cause of

global bee declines. In some instances pesticides may be seriously affecting

honeybees, but it is BBCT's view that many of our wild bee species have declined

primarily due to habitat loss and other factors, besides pesticide use. With

honeybees the situation is also more complicated than the Avaaz literature

implies. Disease has a significant role in ongoing declines.

BBCT value the efforts of Avaaz in raising awareness of important issues and

galvanising mass support and peaceful protest. However, in this instance the

arguments are oversimplified and at times incorrect. Calling for a ban on

neonicotinoids as a precaution until thorough independent research confirms

their safety seems prudent and has our support. However, the campaign materials

risk polarising a complex issue and undermining efforts to tackle global bee

declines from all necessary angles.

Points of clarification:

Only one of the UK's ~250 species of bee makes honey that is harvested

commercially by man. Globally there are ~7 species of honeybee and ~20,000 known

species of bee.

90% of the agricultural and horticultural crop species that we grow are at least

partially pollinated by bees (all bee species). Pollination is either essential

for any yield, or increases yield size or quality. It is estimated that

bee-pollinated foods comprise around 1/3 of our diet by volume.

Although many scientific studies suggest reason for concern, there are other

scientific studies that suggest these chemicals may present a low risk. To date

they have not been banned in the UK on the basis that the science isn't clear.

Pesticides, sadly, seem to work on the basis of 'innocent until proven guilty'.

Further independent research will be invaluable. BBCT support the view that a

precautionary ban would be wise.

BBCT are not aware of scientific evidence which demonstrates that bee

populations soared in four European countries as a result of the banning of

certain chemicals.

BBCT agree that a ban on neonicotinoids would probably make a significant

difference in some instances to bee populations in some areas of intensive

arable agriculture, where flowering crops are common. However, sadly this would

not `save our bees' because the root cause of most wild bee declines is thought

to be the drastic loss of flower-rich grasslands and other habitats which

healthy bee populations depend on. The issues for honeybees are also complex,

and better understanding, treatment and control of diseases will be important.

For populations of wild bees at least, sustainable populations require an

integrated approach which combines a ban on the most harmful pesticides and a

sympathetic approach to farming which supports and encourages pollinators. To

bring about this it is essential to gain wider recognition of the ecosystem

services that bees provide, backed up by policy-level support.

Wild bee populations in grazed or mixed-farming areas need supporting through a

return to species-rich hay meadows instead of silage monocultures and clover ley

crops instead of widespread fertiliser use (97% of lowland species-rich meadows

have been lost since WWII). In arable areas, farms should be encouraged to

manage low productivity areas (margins and corners) as flower-rich habitats.

There is scientific evidence showing that this management causes a large

increase in foraging bee numbers, although the evidence for population-level

increases is harder to gather and hence less robust.

We believe that the figures for the economic importance of pollination in the

Avaaz literature are incorrect. Gallai et al (2009) estimated that the total

economic value of pollination to the world agricultural output amounted to

€152.9 billion, which represented 9.5% of the value of the world agricultural

production used for human food in 2005. They stress that their valuation

demonstrates the economic importance of insect pollinators but cannot be

considered as a scenario since it does not take into account the strategic

responses of the markets. In the EU25 in 2005 the insect pollination economic

value was estimated at €14.2 billion. In the UK, studies are somewhat out of

date, but insect pollination has previously been valued at £440 million.

In summary, BBCT agree that it is worthwhile to make voices heard, but in order

to be taken seriously by policy makers and scientists it is essential that

campaigns are based on the available scientific evidence. Inaccuracies are

likely to weaken the impact. Further, by simplifying the issue and ignoring the

importance of other factors in global bee declines the campaign risks

undermining ongoing conservation efforts. Studies suggest that the causes of bee

declines differ between species and include factors such as disease, habitat

loss, pesticides, inbreeding, climate change and others.

BBCT have contacted Avaaz and offered to help them reach a more robust campaign

stance. To date we have not heard back from them. If you would like to join us

in urging Avaaz to clarify these important details and correct errors then

please use the contact us form on their website.

Dr Ben Darvill

BBCT Director

>

> The facts are there... we see less bees and they are not as active.. I know

> we discussed this on the group last year.... and now we have the opportunity

> to do something about it..

>

> Seems pesticides are at the heart of the problem....

>

> Please sign the petition and forward to your own lists... let us get to

> 1000000 votes so that governments will have to stand and deliver.

>

> Many thanks

>

> Tracey

>

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------

>

> Date: Fri, Jan 7, 2011 at 12:40 AM

> Subject: Have you heard the buzz?

> To: " thelifechangers@... "

>

> Dear friends,

>

> <https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/?cl=897013867 & v=8118>

>

> *Bees are dying off worldwide and our entire food chain is in peril*.

> Scientists blame toxic pesticides and four European governments have already

> banned them. If we get *the US and the EU to join the ban*, other

> governments across the world could follow, and * save bees from extinction*.

> *Sign the petition and forward this urgent appeal*:

>

> [image: Sign the

> petition]<https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/?cl=897013867 & v=8118>

> *Silently, billions of bees are dying off and our entire food chain is in

> danger*. Bees don't just make honey, they are a giant, humble workforce,

> pollinating 90% of the plants we grow.

>

> Multiple *scientific studies blame one group of toxic pesticides for their

> rapid demise,* and bee populations have soared in four European countries

> that have banned these chemicals. But powerful chemical companies are

> lobbying hard to keep selling this poison. Our best chance to save bees now

> is to *push the US and EU to join the ban* -- their action is critical and

> will have a ripple effect on the rest of the world.

>

> *We have no time to lose* -- the debate is raging about what to do. This is

> not just about saving bumble bees, this is about survival. Let's build a

> giant global buzz calling for the EU and US to outlaw these killer chemicals

> and save our bees and our food. *Sign the emergency petition now, and send

> it on to everyone* and we'll deliver it to key decision makers:

>

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/?vl<https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_t\

he_bees/?cl=897013867 & v=8118>

>

> *Bees are vital to life on earth* -- every year pollinating plants and crops

> with an* estimated $40bn value*, over one third of the food supply in many

> countries. *Without immediate action to save bees we could end up with no

> fruit, no vegetables, no nuts, no oils and no cotton*.

>

> Recent years have seen a steep and disturbing global decline in bee

> populations -- *some bee species are now extinct and others are at just 4%

> of their previous numbers.* Scientists have been scrambling for answers.

> Some studies claim the decline may be due to a combination of factors

> including disease, habitat loss and toxic chemicals. But new leading

> independent research has produced *strong evidence blaming neonicotinoid

> pesticides*. France, Italy, Slovenia and even Germany, where the main

> manufacturer Bayer is based, have banned one of these bee killers. But,

> Bayer continues to export its poison across the world

>

> This* issue is now coming to the boil* as major new studies have confirmed

> the scale of this problem. If *we can get European and US decision-makers to

> take action, others will follow*. It won't be easy. A leaked document shows

> that the US Environmental Protection Agency knew about the pesticide's

> dangers, but ignored them. The document says Bayer's " highly toxic " product

> is a " major risk concern to non target insects [honey bees] " .

>

> We need to make *our voices heard to counter Bayer's very strong influence

> on policy makers and scientists* in both the US and the EU where they fund

> the studies and sit on policy bodies. The real experts -- the beekeepers and

> farmers -- want these deadly pesticides prohibited until and unless we have

> solid, independent studies that show they are safe. Let's support them now.

> *Sign the petition below, then forward this email: *

>

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/?vl<https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_t\

he_bees/?cl=897013867 & v=8118>

>

> We can no longer leave our delicate food chain in the hands of research run

> by the chemical companies and the regulators that are in their pockets.

> Banning this pesticide will move us closer to a world safe for ourselves and

> the other species we care about and depend on.

>

> With hope,

>

> , Alice, Iain, and all at Avaaz

>

> MORE INFORMATION

>

> Bee decline could be down to chemical cocktail interfering with brains

>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jun/22/chemicals-bees-decline-major-s\

tudy?INTCMP=SRCH

>

> Bee briefing

>

http://www.soilassociation.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=RXLEm9WXrHk%3D & tabid=43\

9

>

> $15 Billion Bee Murder Mystery Deepens

>

http://www.businessinsider.com/colony-collapse-disorder-still-unsolved-lead-rese\

archer-had-connections-to-bayer-2010-10

>

> " Nicotine Bees " Population Restored With Neonicotinoids Ban

>

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/nicotine-bees-population-restored-with-n\

eonicotinoids-ban.php

>

> EPA memo reveals concern that pesticide causes bee deaths

> http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/green/detail?entry_id=79910

>

> Beekeepers want government to pull pesticide

>

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/beekeepers-want-government-to-pull-pesticide-\

1107701.html

>

> British Beekeepers' Association to stop endorsing bee-killing pesticides

>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/nov/16/beekeepers-end-pesticide-endor\

sement?INTCMP=SRCH

>

> Pesticide industry involvement in EU risk assessment puts survival of bees

> at stake

>

http://www.corporateeurope.org/agribusiness/news/2010/11/16/pesticide-industry-f\

uture-bees

>

> --------------

>

> *Support the Avaaz community!* We're entirely funded by donations and

> receive no money from governments or corporations. Our dedicated team

> ensures even the smallest contributions go a long way -- donate

> here<https://secure.avaaz.org/en/donate_to_avaaz/?cl=897013867 & v=8118>

> .

>

> ------------------------------

> *

> Avaaz.org is a 6.5-million-person global campaign network* that works to

> ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global

> decision-making. ( " Avaaz " means " voice " or " song " in many languages.) Avaaz

> members live in every nation of the world; our team is spread across 13

> countries on 4 continents and operates in 14 languages. Learn about some of

> Avaaz's biggest campaigns here <http://www.avaaz.org/en/highlights?footer>,

> or follow us on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/Avaaz> or

> Twitter<http://twitter.com/Avaaz>

> .

>

> This message was sent to thelifechangers@... To change your

> email address, language, or other information, contact us via this

> form<http://avaaz.org/en/contact/?unsubHTML>-- or simply click

> here to

unsubscribe<https://secure.avaaz.org/act/?r=unsub & cl=897013867 & email=thelifechan\

gers@... & b=1122 & v=8118 & lang=en>

> .

>

> To contact Avaaz, please *do not reply to this email.* Instead, write to us

> at www.avaaz.org/en/contact <http://www.avaaz.org/en/contact?footer> or call

> us at +1- (US).

>

January 12, 2011

Thanks I still believe that the new generation of sticky pesticides which stay on the plant will almost certainly be within the pollen... and that, just as with our kids, exposure to these toxins weakens the immune systems and they become more susceptible to disease.

Best WishesTracey

Hi Tracey,

I've already signed the petition, but, thought that this might be of interest:

BBCT e-newsletter

January 2011

Just a quick note to give you BBCT's perspective on the current Avaaz anti-neonicotinoid pesticide campaign

BBCT's response to the Avaaz anti-pesticide campaign

Avaaz is a 6.5-million-person global campaign network that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people shape global decision-making

Yesterday they launched a campaign to urge the US and EU to suspend neonicotinoid pesticides. The full text of their campaign publicity can be read here. Many of you may subscribe to the Avaaz newsletter (as do I) so I wanted to write to you and clarify BBCT's position on this. If the issue of bee declines is as simple to solve as a ban on neonicotinoids then you might well wonder why BBCT is diverting most of its resources to habitat creation and restoration.

Our response to them, posted publicly on our website, is as follows:

BBCT share concerns about growing evidence suggesting that some pesticides, including neonicotinoids, are harmful to bees. [Note to BBCT supporters - if you share our concerns you might consider printing, signing and posting a letter to your MP. A template is available here on the website of our conservation partners, Buglife.]

However, there are some statements in the Avaaz summary which, based on BBCT's understanding of the scientific evidence, are not well supported. This weakens their position and threatens to make hard-won signatures less valuable. Furthermore, they make a strong case for pesticides being the root cause of global bee declines. In some instances pesticides may be seriously affecting honeybees, but it is BBCT's view that many of our wild bee species have declined primarily due to habitat loss and other factors, besides pesticide use. With honeybees the situation is also more complicated than the Avaaz literature implies. Disease has a significant role in ongoing declines.

BBCT value the efforts of Avaaz in raising awareness of important issues and galvanising mass support and peaceful protest. However, in this instance the arguments are oversimplified and at times incorrect. Calling for a ban on neonicotinoids as a precaution until thorough independent research confirms their safety seems prudent and has our support. However, the campaign materials risk polarising a complex issue and undermining efforts to tackle global bee declines from all necessary angles.

Points of clarification:

Only one of the UK's ~250 species of bee makes honey that is harvested commercially by man. Globally there are ~7 species of honeybee and ~20,000 known species of bee.

90% of the agricultural and horticultural crop species that we grow are at least partially pollinated by bees (all bee species). Pollination is either essential for any yield, or increases yield size or quality. It is estimated that bee-pollinated foods comprise around 1/3 of our diet by volume.

Although many scientific studies suggest reason for concern, there are other scientific studies that suggest these chemicals may present a low risk. To date they have not been banned in the UK on the basis that the science isn't clear. Pesticides, sadly, seem to work on the basis of 'innocent until proven guilty'. Further independent research will be invaluable. BBCT support the view that a precautionary ban would be wise.

BBCT are not aware of scientific evidence which demonstrates that bee populations soared in four European countries as a result of the banning of certain chemicals.

BBCT agree that a ban on neonicotinoids would probably make a significant difference in some instances to bee populations in some areas of intensive arable agriculture, where flowering crops are common. However, sadly this would not `save our bees' because the root cause of most wild bee declines is thought to be the drastic loss of flower-rich grasslands and other habitats which healthy bee populations depend on. The issues for honeybees are also complex, and better understanding, treatment and control of diseases will be important.

For populations of wild bees at least, sustainable populations require an integrated approach which combines a ban on the most harmful pesticides and a sympathetic approach to farming which supports and encourages pollinators. To bring about this it is essential to gain wider recognition of the ecosystem services that bees provide, backed up by policy-level support.

Wild bee populations in grazed or mixed-farming areas need supporting through a return to species-rich hay meadows instead of silage monocultures and clover ley crops instead of widespread fertiliser use (97% of lowland species-rich meadows have been lost since WWII). In arable areas, farms should be encouraged to manage low productivity areas (margins and corners) as flower-rich habitats. There is scientific evidence showing that this management causes a large increase in foraging bee numbers, although the evidence for population-level increases is harder to gather and hence less robust.

We believe that the figures for the economic importance of pollination in the Avaaz literature are incorrect. Gallai et al (2009) estimated that the total economic value of pollination to the world agricultural output amounted to €152.9 billion, which represented 9.5% of the value of the world agricultural production used for human food in 2005. They stress that their valuation demonstrates the economic importance of insect pollinators but cannot be considered as a scenario since it does not take into account the strategic responses of the markets. In the EU25 in 2005 the insect pollination economic value was estimated at €14.2 billion. In the UK, studies are somewhat out of date, but insect pollination has previously been valued at £440 million.

In summary, BBCT agree that it is worthwhile to make voices heard, but in order to be taken seriously by policy makers and scientists it is essential that campaigns are based on the available scientific evidence. Inaccuracies are likely to weaken the impact. Further, by simplifying the issue and ignoring the importance of other factors in global bee declines the campaign risks undermining ongoing conservation efforts. Studies suggest that the causes of bee declines differ between species and include factors such as disease, habitat loss, pesticides, inbreeding, climate change and others.

BBCT have contacted Avaaz and offered to help them reach a more robust campaign stance. To date we have not heard back from them. If you would like to join us in urging Avaaz to clarify these important details and correct errors then please use the contact us form on their website.

Dr Ben Darvill

BBCT Director

>

> The facts are there... we see less bees and they are not as active.. I know

> we discussed this on the group last year.... and now we have the opportunity

> to do something about it..

>

> Seems pesticides are at the heart of the problem....

>

> Please sign the petition and forward to your own lists... let us get to

> 1000000 votes so that governments will have to stand and deliver.

>

> Many thanks

>

> Tracey

>

> ---------- Forwarded message ----------

>

> Date: Fri, Jan 7, 2011 at 12:40 AM

> Subject: Have you heard the buzz?

> To: " thelifechangers@... "

>

> Dear friends,

>

> <https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/?cl=897013867 & v=8118>

>

> *Bees are dying off worldwide and our entire food chain is in peril*.

> Scientists blame toxic pesticides and four European governments have already

> banned them. If we get *the US and the EU to join the ban*, other

> governments across the world could follow, and * save bees from extinction*.

> *Sign the petition and forward this urgent appeal*:

>

> [image: Sign the

> petition]<https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/?cl=897013867 & v=8118>

> *Silently, billions of bees are dying off and our entire food chain is in

> danger*. Bees don't just make honey, they are a giant, humble workforce,

> pollinating 90% of the plants we grow.

>

> Multiple *scientific studies blame one group of toxic pesticides for their

> rapid demise,* and bee populations have soared in four European countries

> that have banned these chemicals. But powerful chemical companies are

> lobbying hard to keep selling this poison. Our best chance to save bees now

> is to *push the US and EU to join the ban* -- their action is critical and

> will have a ripple effect on the rest of the world.

>

> *We have no time to lose* -- the debate is raging about what to do. This is

> not just about saving bumble bees, this is about survival. Let's build a

> giant global buzz calling for the EU and US to outlaw these killer chemicals

> and save our bees and our food. *Sign the emergency petition now, and send

> it on to everyone* and we'll deliver it to key decision makers:

>

> https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/?vl<https://secure.avaaz.org/en/save_the_bees/?cl=897013867 & v=8118>