Status of Pollinator Protection Issues Policy Development: SFIREG Meeting
December 10, 2012
Editor’s Note: A set of slides on investigation of bee kill incidents distributed at today’s SFIREG meeting is attached here.
Development of a protocol for investigation of bee kill incident reports was a key Pollinator Protection policy issue discussed at today’s SFIREG meeting. EPA Region 5 is taking the lead on development of a common method for investigating reports of bee kill incidents. There currently is limited data of uncertain quality regarding such reports and EPA is trying to increase the quantity of quality of incident reports, including through the use of additional reporting tools so that there is data that could be used in risk assessments. A draft guide for such investigations is currently under internal review in the Spring of 2013. It was noted in the SFIREG discussions that some bee keepers are reluctant to report incidents. There was also discussion among SFIREG members regarding concern that some bee keepers could be using unapproved pesticides and/or using chemicals in a manner inconsistent with labeling requirements. One commitee member noted noted that state officials would not overlook misuse of pesticides by beekeepers when investigating bee kill incident reports. A representative of the beekeeping community rejected any overall characterization that beekeepers act outside of legal requirements, suggested that concerns regarding beekeeper practices were misplaced and noted that beekeepers are just trying to keep their bees alive.
The meeting included discussion of the important work being done by the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee’s Pollinator Protection Workgroup amd its subgroups. Development and communication of Best Management Practices is a key issue under development by the Workgroup along with improving bee kill incident reporting tools and improving understaning of residue toxicity.
With respect to Colony Collapse Disorder, EPA is working with the USDA-led CCD Steering Group. EPA noted that they are looking at multiple possible causes of CCD including mites, viruses, poor nutrition, beekeeping practices and pesticides. EPA has not identified any single cause of CCD and would not support the assertion that pesticides are the leading factor. It was noted that CCD is less and less of a cause of the overall issue of a decline in bee health. Based on a report that the CCD is drafting, it is possible that their Action Plan will be revised.
On the issue of international cooperation, EPA is working with OECD, Canada and Europe. Issues whgiuch are being looked internationally include investigation of bee kill reports, development of a portal for collecting research regarding effects of pesticides on pollinators, risk assessment methods, risk mitigation methods.
SFIREG members indicated that risk management activities need to include the activities of beekeepers, not just growers.
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