Bee Health and the Woodcock Study #1
November 8, 2017
Updated November 10, 2017
11/10/17
A number of leading European Universities may or may not not agree with particular aspects of CRE’s analysis of bees and neonicotinoids but we are pleased when they do conclude that all relevant information should be made available to all parties which surprisingly is not a position shared by the UK government.
CRE continues to welcome contact from interested parties.
11/08/17
Based upon CRE’s review of the published data concerning the Woodcock study, as opposed to a review of all its supporting data which have not been made available to the public, it appears that a study performed by the NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology [a UK governmental agency] can not be used by US regulators because it fails to meet the standards mandated in the Data Quality Act notwithstanding a possible action to the contrary by the EU.
The Woodcock study is of particular importance because it is the foundation the UK support of a ban on neonicotinoids.
The EU should review the far reaching implications of the aforementioned dichotomy prior to embarking on a voyage whose resulting storm could be detrimental to both the physical and economic health of its constituents.
CRE’s half century leadership in shaping US regulatory policy is described here.
CRE has reviewed the Woodcock study in detail and has communicated its deficiencies to the authors and their sponsoring agencies. Although CRE was advised of the source of funding for the Woodcock study neither the author nor the sponsoring organization have as of this date furnished CRE with the data upon which its conclusions are based.
CRE performed this task in its capacity as a nationally acclaimed regulatory watchdog. CRE believes that scientists who abide by the established principles of sound science, as enumerated in the aforementioned Data Quality Act, will reach the same conclusions as did CRE.
CRE recognizes that a number of non-governmental organizations, which have recognized scientific credentials and also enjoy a tax exempt status such as those tied to a university, are prohibited by law from acting in the same capacity as does CRE and are also constrained as a result of possible conflicting views of others in a university. In addition opponent NGO’s often exercise very effective oversight of over their competitors with respect to complying with applicable statutes.
Nonetheless the aforementioned NGO’s are encouraged to express their views on the need for the disclosure of data used to guide national regulatory decisions recognizing full well that as result of the aforementioned limitations, which are beyond the control of a particular party, that their views might not be accorded the same deference as those advocated by CRE.
Reference:
Impacts of neonicotinoid use on long-term population changes in wild bees in England Ben A. Woodcock, Nicholas J.B. Isaac, James M. Bullock, David B. Roy, David G Garthwaite, Andrew Crowe & Richard F. Pywell
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