{"id":23529,"date":"2017-12-19T19:45:22","date_gmt":"2017-12-20T01:45:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themindunleashed.com\/?p=23529"},"modified":"2017-12-19T19:45:22","modified_gmt":"2017-12-20T01:45:22","slug":"pesticide-epa-approve-for-expanded-use-threatens-birds-and-bees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themindunleashed.com\/2017\/12\/pesticide-epa-approve-for-expanded-use-threatens-birds-and-bees.html","title":{"rendered":"EPA Report Says Same Pesticide It May Approve for Expanded Use Threatens Birds and Bees"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sizable factions of the scientific community have railed against the EPA for continuing to allow the imprudent and widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides on the nation\u2019s crops before extensive testing can determine if the substances pose as deleterious a risk as that found in multiple studies \u2014 several of which were conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Such as ongoing analysis and the government\u2019s latest <\/span>assessment<\/span><\/a> of four neonicotinoid pesticides (often referred to for brevity as \u2018neonics\u2019<\/em>), two of which, EPA scientists <\/span>conclude<\/span><\/a>, directly threaten not only indispensable pollinators like bees and butterflies, but birds, aquatic life, other insects, and some small mammals, as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe EPA\u2019s assessments confirm neonicotinoid pesticides are extremely harmful to birds and aquatic life at the very center of our ecosystems,\u201d<\/span><\/i> asserted Center for Biological Diversity director of environmental health program, Lori Ann Burd, in a <\/span>statement<\/span><\/a> Friday.<\/span> \u201cWith bird, aquatic invertebrate and bee populations in decline, the only way to prevent further catastrophic damage is to follow Europe\u2019s lead and ban these dangerous pesticides.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Dangerous, to say the least, in terms of impact to ecosystems and the broader environment \u2014 but, in particular, to the species and pollinators responsible for much of the nation\u2019s agricultural acreage.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn today\u2019s assessment the EPA found that risks posed to certain birds from eating neonic-treated seeds exceeded the agency\u2019s level of concern \u2014 the level at which harm is known to occur \u2014 by as much as 200-fold,\u201d<\/span><\/i> the Center for Biological Diversity statement continues. <\/span>\u201cIn addition to killing birds, a recent scientific study also found, neonic pesticides significantly impair the migratory ability of seed-eating songbirds.<\/span><\/i><\/p>

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