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Thread: Bee concerns pose threat to OSR viability

  1. #1
    Administrator gavin's Avatar
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    Default Bee concerns pose threat to OSR viability

    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. 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.

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    What would they grow instead?

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    Administrator gavin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Black Comb View Post
    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.

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    Quote Originally Posted by gavin View Post
    Beekeepers would lose a valuable nectar and pollen source.
    The law of unintended consequence strikes again?

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    Senior Member prakel's Avatar
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    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/10...d_insecticides

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    Senior Member Jon's Avatar
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