The alarming decline of the honey bee population in the European Union over the last decade and a half has prompted the European Commission to ban the use of some pesticides known as neonicotinoids for two years because they appear to reduce the bee’s resistance to viruses. The pesticides remain in the plants and pollen as they grow.
The commission has allocated resources to its member states to investigate why the bees are in trouble. Scientific studies reported by the European Food Safety Authority indicated a strong link between these pesticides and bee health. A recent Italian study suggests that common levels of neonicotinoids in fields weaken bees’ immunity to viruses.
Bees pollinate the vast majority of food crops. The bee decline threatens the food supply chain. The EU is investing to promote bee health in Africa one of its key food sources.
The U.S. has also taken steps to protect the bees. Beekeepers have filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency to demand the suspension of two neonicotinoid pesticides. The U.S. State of Oregon also imposed a temporary ban on dinotefuran, a neonicotinoid pesticide, after 50,000 bumblebees died when the pesticide was sprayed on trees in a parking lot. And the U.S. Congress is processing a bill to ban use of the neonicotinoid pesticides.
The loss of pollinating bees could create famines by disrupting the pollination process. Humanity is utterly dependent on bees for survival.
“…And there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” Matthew 24:7