Re: insecticides
Neonicotinoids are a type of neuro-active insecticides that are used in seed treatment worldwide. This past January the European Food Safety Authority determined that these insecticides posed an unacceptable risk to bees and that the industry sponsored studies may be flawed. In May the European Commission imposed restrictions on the use of neonicotinoids as they are considered to be a factor in bee colony collapse disorder. In March a coalition of American beekeepers, conservation and agriculture advocates sued the U.S. E.P.A. for permitting the registration of neonicotinoids without adequate evaluation of industry studies. Why hasn’t Canada taken similar steps?
For the record, my family buys drug free meat and organic produce from local farmers. On the 20’ by 25’ deck of our condo we grow tomatoes, beets, cucumbers, beans, zucchini and a variety of herbs in containers, without the use of insecticides. While we don’t believe in putting a price tag on good health, we do acknowledge that ethically produced food comes at a premium and that is unfortunate.
Kent Smith