Monsanto Holds "Honey Bee Health Summit", Then Blames Problems On Varroa Mites

[hatrack]

EDIT

"This is a difficult, high stakes battle," Peter Jenkins, a lawyer with the Center for Food Safety, told NBC News in regards to the organization's decision to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in March on behalf of beekeepers and environmental consumer groups who blame a lack of regulation for the crisis. "They may have a lot of money," he said. "But ... we're going to win."

As evidence of potential validity behind the claim that pesticides are to blame was the announcement in May from the European Union of its decision to ban the pesticides known as neonicotinoids used in everything from commercial farming to personal lawn and garden care. Similar legislation in the United States would cost manufactures potentially billions of dollars in sales.

Monsanto and its peers, on the other hand, argue that the colony declines have more natural origins in mites and disease - a view the company holds to firmly after the conference.

"The Varroa mite is considered to be a potential leading contributor to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)," the company stated regarding its own conclusions from the event.

EDIT

http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/2498/20130617/controversial-agrichemical-company-monsanto-holds-bee-health.htm

[dipsydoodle]

1. Varroa mites and loss of habitat

are additional contributory factors : not the sole cause.

Monsanto can say what they like : they won't change the decision in Europe.

[Buzz Clik]

2. +1

[Buzz Clik]

3. No clue why Monsanto would take such a stance. They don't produce the indicted chemicals.

The evidence is strong concerning neonicotinoids.

This comment from the article is equally misguided:

However, despite such overtures, many continue to blame the company's pesticides for the bee decline.

Eh?

[dipsydoodle]

4. They're only made by Bayer and Syngenta

as far as I'm aware.

The link is by association. Monsanto's genetically engineered corn is treated with Bayer's neonicotinoid insecticides. I'm wondering their corn would become prone without the neonicotinoid insecticides

[Buzz Clik]

5. All corn can be treated by the chemical, but your question is a good one.

Clearly, Monsanto has a hidden agenda here.

If I were Monsanto in this instance, I would hide in the weeds and let Syngenta and Bayer take their lumps.