EPA Analysis Of Pesticides' Negligible Benefits Could Boost Calls For Ban

摘要

Environmentalists say a new EPA analysis that finds negligible benefits for soybean production from the use of controversial neonicotinoid pesticides could boost calls for prohibition of the substances that advocates blame for harming pollinators, though the agency cautions that the study is only part of an ongoing review of neonicotinoids. Whether neonicotinoid-treated seeds, a staple of modern agriculture, increase crop yields has been a central question in environmentalists' push for EPA to restrict neonicotinoid use and speed reviews of the controversial systemic pesticides, which EPA has said are one of several factors in the massive bee declines seen since 2006. While the study might help advocates' push, industry is preparing to release data on the benefits of the substances.