Judging from this extract from a Spanish study on CCD, the answer is no. Note that this Spanish team has been studying CCD since 1999, years before it officially came into existence.
Depopulation and treatment of sunflower seeds with pesticides
The toxicity of certain pesticides is the cause most often cited for bee losses. For the last six years we have studied the possible effects of certain pesticides such as imidaclopride(Gaucho) or fipronil(Regent), used in the treatment of sunflower seeds and the link to hive populations, following concerns in the sector about their use. Read the rest of this entry »
The two recent court judgments that compel the mobile phone companies to take down existing phone masts have set off a real shock wave, invisible like the waves but very real in the microcosm of the pro-mobile establishment.
This urgent appeal for open-minded investigation was written 18 months ago, but still EM radiation remains a taboo and all the other leads have lead nowhere.
Several months ago when I first saw reports about large numbers of honey bees dying, I was concerned. I considered electro magnetic radiation (EMR) as a strong possible cause. During the last few months, with further information becoming available, I have become even more worried about the situation. No new information has caused me to doubt that EMR is involved in this environmental disaster.
We need more research- this is the mantra, endlessly repeated, as we are confronted with the grim scenario of disappearing bees and pollinators. What about looking at existing research? Here is a 1976 study which looks highly pertinent. Note, in particular, this observation, which prefigures CCD:
“Bees in strong electric field became aggressive, stinging each other to death; communication was disturbed….Bees left the hive if they could.”
Click here to read this 1976 study by Ulrich Warnke
Over thirty years later Warnke is still on the case and has produced this definitive, comprehensive study:
The environment secretary Hilary Benn today announced an extra £4.3m “to safeguard and undertake more research into the health of bees”. Read the rest of this entry »
As we never cease to stress, all mention of one likely cause of CCD is carefully avoided by the authorities, the “greens” and most of the beekeepers: EM radiation from the mobile phone network and, possibly, HAARP. There is, however, overwhelming evidence that this is indeed the cause of the “mysterious” disappearance of the bees, as well other insects, birds, bats and other creatures. One common factor in the disappearance of these creatures is disorientation caused by interference in their capacity to direct themselves by the earth’s magnetic field. Here is some more background:
“An article recently published in the popular press has suggested that there may be a link between the increase in numbers of mobile phone masts and the reduction in local sparrow populations. The number of sparrows in Britain has effectively halved from 24 million approximately thirty years ago to a present day figure of 14 million, a decrease of almost 50%.”
Yet again Warnke’s research is ignored. Here we get a clue, money for research is more important. Dennis vanEngelsdorp wishes us to expand
the bee industry and encourage pollinators, but that ignores the fundamental growth of the intensity of EMF radiation over the recent period. Here is a timeline.
The US is having to accept the decline of its hegemony, but never mind:”global warming” will trigger “food and water scarcities that could fuel conflict around the globe”. If they can’t rule at least they can make sure no one else can. Judging by this European parliament resolution the pollinator crisis is likely to do provoke food shortages imminently. However, the same people who so obsessively talk up “global warming” show no interest in the pollinator crisis(notably, the Greens, of course). This should be food for thought.
“Three quarters of food production (76%) is dependent on bees and 84% of vegetables grown in Europe depend on pollination.”
In other words , we are on the verge of extinction. By drawing attention to the seriousness of the crisis this resolution has to be seen as a step forward. however, if we are to really confront the problem we are going to need the courage to take on powerful and sinister interests; this issue brings us face to face with the mob itself.
For background on the disappearing bees and EM radiation see:
Immediate action is required to tackle the drastic decline in bee colonies throughout Europe and the rest of the world, say MEPs. The decline in the number of bees poses a threat not just to honey production but to the pollination of plants and hence to food production. Parliament adopted a resolution on Thursday pressing the Commission to take action. Read the rest of this entry »
In Britain there is no debate on this issue and so this one has to be seen as progress. As usual, however, one would expect any politically-incorrect references to the role of EM radiation to be studiously avoided despite the recent publication of Warnke’s comprehensive study. This is an untouchable issue for the untouchables.
European Parliament resolution on the situation in the beekeeping sector
– having regard to Rule 108(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the beekeeping sector throughout the world, and more particularly in placeEurope, is encountering very serious difficulties,
B. whereas apiculture has a beneficial impact on the ecosystem as a whole and the agricultural ecosystem in particular,
C. whereas it is essential to preserve biodiversity, to which apiculture makes a significant contribution through cross-pollination activities,
D. whereas beekeeping has been practised in placeEurope for thousands of years and forms an integral part of its cultural and agriculture heritage,
E. noting the nutritional and medicinal benefits of apiculture products,
F. bearing in mind the variety and high quality of honey and other apiculture products such as royal jelly, propolis, venom and beeswax produced by the European beekeeping sector due to its expertise and the diversity of its climate,
G. whereas the sector suffers unfair competition from products originating in third countries and imported into the Community market,
H. whereas honey may be imported from various regions of the world, but only bees, in sufficient numbers, can guarantee pollination,
placeI. noting the serious threat of a decline in bee colonies due to the significant reduction in the supply of pollen and nectar,
J. having regard to the drastic decline in the number of bee colonies in the world,
K. whereas the continued presence in hives of Varroa spp. parasites, colony collapse disorder and the spread of Nosema ceranae are among the causes of the crisis in bee health,
L. whereas 76% of the production of food for human consumption is dependent on the beekeeping sector,
M. whereas 84% of vegetable species cultivated in placeEurope depend on pollination,
N. whereas the instructions and good practice applicable to the use of biocides are too often ignored,
O. recalling that no methods exist as yet to eradicate certain bee diseases resulting in a reduction in their resistance capacity and the loss of hives,
1. Considers that it is essential to respond without delay to the crisis in bee health in an appropriate manner and with effective weapons;
2. Considers that action should be taken to tackle unfair competition from apiculture products originating in third countries, which is partly the result of lower production costs, particularly as regards the price of sugar and labour;
3. Calls on the Commission to immediately step up further research into the parasites and diseases decimating the bee population and their causes, while making additional budgetary resources available for this research;
4. Considers it vital to make it compulsory to indicate the country of origin of bee honey on labels;
5. Calls on the Commission, in the context of the CAP health check, to introduce measures to encourage the setting up of ecological recovery zones (such as apicultural set-aside areas), especially in major arable crop regions; 4. Calls on the Commission to put in place measures within the CAP Health Check encouraging the creation of ecological compensation zones (such as apicultural set-aside areas) especially in large areas of arable cultivation; calls for such zones to be situated in those parts of fields which are difficult to cultivate, where plants such as phacelia, borage, charlock and wild white clover could be grown, providing rich sources of nectar in bees’ gathering areas;
6. Calls on the Commission to promote the necessary measures to limit the risk of insufficient pollination both for beekeepers and for farmers, whose production could increase considerably;
7. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the quality of surface water is monitored and controlled, as bees are highly sensitive to any deterioration in their environment;
8. Calls on the Commission to undertake research into the link which exists between bee mortality and the use of pesticides such as thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, clothianidin and fipronil so that it can take whatever appropriate measures are necessary as regards authorisation of such products;
9. Calls on the Commission to coordinate all information pertaining to this situation that is presently available in each Member State; believes that the Commission should cooperate with recognised organisations with a view to exchanging scientific information they have concerning the impact of pesticides on bees;
10. Considers it vital to introduce a requirement that imported honey be analysed to detect the possible presence of American foulbrood bacteria;
11. Urges the Commission to propose a financial aid mechanism for apiaries which are in difficulties due to bee mortality;
12. Calls for the Commission to incorporate into its veterinary policy research into, and action to tackle, bee diseases;
13. Calls on the Commission to urge all Member States to bring forward immediate support for the beekeeping sector;
14. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.
In These New Times 