Archives – January, 2014
From: Pacific News Center
Guam – Dr. Ross Miller’s Entomology Lab at the University of Guam Western Pacific Tropical Research Center (WPTRC) has its antennae in a lot of hives with the first-ever survey of the island’s honeybee population.
Honeybee health in the U.S. mainland has been in decline for many years: mites, diseases, and environmental toxins have taken their toll on honeybee populations throughout the states. Funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, this national survey will look to understand what viruses, mites, pests or other factors may be influencing honeybee health. With a clearer understanding of what is negatively impacting bee colonies, scientists are hoping to find efficient methods to mitigate this decline.
January 10, 2014
Editor’s Note: The article below discusses the importance of pollinator protection. Of particular importance, the article concludes by discussing EPA’s approach to regulating seed treatment technologies: “A lot of studies are underway and so far EPA has stuck with the science. But they are under a lot of political pressure to stop or restrict application ‘in case it could be the problem.’”
EPA officials deserve credit and recognition for their commitment to scientific integrity.
Below are excerpts from the pollinator protection article. Please read the complete article on the Southwest Farm Press website here.
From: Southwest Farm Press
January 8, 2014
Editor’s Note: Although the ill-defined term “colony collapse disorder” has become a popular buzz phrase, the article below makes clear it has little to do with the state of bee health.
From: AgriNews
Martha Blum, Field Editor
CHICAGO — Pollinators are facing a range of challenges.
“There are 20,000 plus species of bees,” said Iain Kelly, bee health issue manager for Bayer CropScience. “Honey bees are the most versatile — they will survive from the tip of South America up to Canada.”
January 7, 2014
Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from CropLife’s review of the top issues for 2014. For the complete article, please see here.
From: CropLife
Crop Protection Industry: Pollinator Health, Farm Bill Among Top Issues For 2014
By Beau Greenwood
Pollinator Health
The agriculture and crop protection industries understand the importance of pollinators to a healthy agricultural system and work continuously with beekeepers, growers, researchers and regulators to address honeybee health as part of the normal pesticide registration process. Research into bee health is ongoing and has shown that numerous factors influence the health of honeybees. In fact, a report released in 2013 by the USDA and EPA, “Report on the National Stakeholders Conference on Honeybee Health,” notes the following factors as influencers: Parasitic Varroa mites, nutrition, lack of genetic diversity, pesticide exposure and beekeeper and farmer practices.
January 2, 2014
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