EPA ‘stung’ with lawsuit about bees, pesticides

SALT LAKE CITY – A lawsuit of particular interest to the Beehive State has been filed against the Environmental Protection Agency, claiming it isn’t doing enough to protect the nation’s declining bee population. The suit was brought by a coalition of beekeepers and environmental groups, including the <a href=”http://www.panna.org/press-release/beekeepers-and-public-interest-groups-sue-epa-over-bee-toxic-pesticides” target=”parent”>Pesticide Action Network</a>. 

Paul Towers, organizing and media director for Pesticide Action Network, said the EPA has failed by allowing bee-toxic pesticides in dozens of widely used agricultural products for years.

“EPA has acted as a rubber stamp for these neonicotinoid products,” he said. “They’ve rushed the products to market, and even when they’re on the market, they’ve failed to provide the right protections on these pesticide labels. EPA has really shirked its responsibility, and that’s why we’re taking them to court.”

Research points to a combination of factors likely to blame for honeybees disappearing, including pesticides and bacterial infections. Utah beekeepers also blame drought and wildfires for some losses. Last year, beekeepers across the country reported record losses of 40 to 50 percent of their hives.

Steve Ellis is one of the lawsuit plaintiffs. He said he lost nearly two-thirds of his bees this year and, like many other keepers, did not have enough to fulfill his pollination contracts with almond growers in California. Ellis predicts the situation will have a ripple effect on a variety of crops and consumers nationwide.

“You sit down at the breakfast table, and you want to have your blueberries and your apples and your cherries and your almonds,” he said. “If those yields are going to be impacted by insufficient pollinators, the price is going to go up and the availability is going to go down.”

Beekeepers in Colorado, Florida and New York are also plaintiffs. Towers said they hope the lawsuit prompts the EPA to review independent research about these products, instead of allowing them to hit the market more quickly with what is called “conditional registrations.” 

“In the interim, it should impose restrictions on the use of these pesticides that are toxic to bees,” Towers said. “Those are the clear and easy steps that the agency can take to ensure the success of bees, of pollination, and to support our food system.”

The lawsuit was filed in the Northern District Court of California. It is EPA policy to not comment on pending litigation.

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