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market-farming - [Market-farming] Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in Honey Bees, GMO's & politics

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Chronological Thread  
  • From: Karen Sutherland & Roots Farm <rootsfarm AT marpin.dm>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Market-farming] Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) in Honey Bees, GMO's & politics
  • Date: Fri, 25 May 2007 11:18:57 -0400

Following is one of 10 suggested explanations for Colony Collapse Disorder presented in a Univ. of FLA publication (link below).

Genetically modified crops: Some people have proposed that genetically modified crops may be responsible for the widespread bee deaths. Interestingly, many seeds from which genetically modified crops are grown are dipped first in systemic insecticides that later may appear in the plants' nectar and pollen. This makes genetically modified plants suspect because of their chemical treatment history, not just because they are genetically modified. Scientists have begun initial investigations into both theories but no conclusive data have been collected.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN720

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I never realized that treated seeds could produce plants with the systemic insecticide in their nectar and pollen.  Does anyone know for which seed treatments this may be true? 

That possibility is bad enough, but does anyone know if the systemic insecticides used on seeds also appear in the portions of the plant likely to be eaten by people or other beings lower on the food chain and if they then accumulate?  Do such insecticides readily decompose when the plant materials are used as mulch or are included in compost?  What happens to the insecticides (and their effect on living beings) when they are resident in plants that are burned or converted to biofuel?  

Dominica is struggling with framing a national agricultural policy which both facilitates the goal of becoming an "organic island"  and which addresses short term economic concerns.  There is considerable pressure and maneuvering to have the policy admit GMOs as being necessary for short term survival.  Am hoping the country can find an alternate means of satisfying valid short term concerns while maintaining its longer term goals, but the track record of poor island states against powerful international interests is not a happy one.

Best wishes to all,

Karen

Karen Sutherland
Roots Farm
Organic Produce
Fruits, Roots, Vegetables & Herbs
Cockrane, Dominica
767-449-3038
rootsfarm AT marpin.dm




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