Tunisian Journal of Plant Protection Vol. 8, No. 1, 2013 - Iresa

Guest EditorialPesticides and Beneficial Insects: Do we Need BetterRegulations?The controversy around banningpesticides that has an adverse effect onbeneficial insects such as bees or naturalenemies of pests that attack economiccrops is many decades old, but no seriousaction on this issue was taken bygovernments across the globe. Recentnews indicated that the European Unionis seriously considering to establish atwo-year ban on three pesticidessuspected of contributing to the globaldecline in the number of bees. Already 15countries voted to allow the EuropeanCommission (EU) to restrict the use ofinsecticides from December 2012.However, it seems that the EU failed toreach the majority needed to adopt theban outright, meaning the decision ispassed to the EU.The three insecticides are“imidocloprid”, “clothianidin” and“thiamethoxam”, all of them are used asseed treatment in addition to applyingthem as soil drench or sprayed on beeattractiveplants, such as cereals. It isimportant to note that bee numbers wentdown in the Middle East, Europe andUSA by up to 85% in some regions.The role of bees in helping plantsto bear fruits through enhancement offlower pollination is a commonknowledge. However, the influence of themanufacturing companies on the politicalmachine of their respective countries isalways a hurdle which is not easy tocross. Accordingly, eight countries,including the United Kingdom votedagainst the ban. The pesticides companiesstress the point that the ban is a poordecision because it is based on anincomplete scientific analysis. This is anopen invitation to world scientists,including those in the Middle East andNorth Africa to investigate this issuefurther and produce reliable data thatcan explain what happens in the field.Many small farmers rely on the incomegenerated by bee products, not to mentionthe indirect other benefits of a balancedbee population, and if the scientificevidence proves harmful effects of somechemicals to bees or other beneficialinsects, the ban should also be consideredoutside Europe.Dr. Khaled MakkoukNational Council for Scientific ResearchBeirut, LebanonTunisian Journal of Plant Protection Vol. 8, No. 1, 2013