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View Full Version : Bee concerns pose threat to OSR viability



gavin
11-01-2013, 12:52 AM
A recent survey for Bayer of UK growers representing 15,000ha of OSR showed 87% felt a neonicotinoid ban here would adversely affect them, 86% felt crop establishment would suffer, 79% expected yields to fall, 90% would use more foliar sprays, 72% expected environmental implications, and 84% said they would have to spend more on pest control. Almost half (47%) said they would reconsider OSR cropping.

Yes, I know it was a Bayer survey but it is food for thought all the same. Part of a well informed piece in Farmers Weekly. (http://www.fwi.co.uk/Articles/03/01/2013/136998/Bee-concerns-pose-threat-to-OSR-viability.htm) Make OSR establish less well and require more sprays and farmers may think that its not worth the bother. Beekeepers would lose a valuable nectar and pollen source.

Black Comb
11-01-2013, 10:02 AM
What would they grow instead?

gavin
11-01-2013, 10:12 AM
What would they grow instead?

You could probably choose from ...

- more cereals and less crop rotation
- potatoes
- peas or beans
- grass leys
- sugar beet
- maize for silage
- vegetable crop of some kind
- fruit

... and probably others depending on site and farmer.

Bumble
11-01-2013, 01:29 PM
Beekeepers would lose a valuable nectar and pollen source.
The law of unintended consequence strikes again?

prakel
15-01-2013, 11:26 AM
Here's a NFU response to the Humboldt report of 14/01/13. Putting link here as it sort of ties in to the thread rather than starting a new one.

http://www.smallholder.co.uk/news/10161007.NFU_responds_to_new_research_on_neonicoti noid_insecticides

Jon
23-01-2013, 01:49 PM
The bbka have a press release out today (http://www.bbka.org.uk/files/pressreleases/statement_re_efsa_reports_23_jan_2013_final_135893 5510.pdf)