Bees and Pesticides

Bees and Pesticides

            After many discussions the European Union banned the use of three types of pesticides used to kill bees. The primary reason was that bee populations were disappearing quickly.  In my opinion, the European Union did a great job, and I strongly believe that all countries around the world should follow this example. In short, the use of pesticides negatively affects the environment and human life.

           First of all, studies show that the current pesticides used in agriculture have been mostly responsible for the decrease of pollination. According to Johnston and Simon, pesticides are responsible for causing changes in the behavior of bees.  Intoxicated bees are incapable of moving efficiently, and consequently most of them are unable to come back to the hive. In addition, Johnston and Simon state that their ability of olfactory, smelling, and memory fall sharply.  In 2013, the European Union suggested a ban on pesticides that threaten bees. One of the reasons is because some types of pesticides called lethal pesticides are directly related to the immediate death of some bee populations. Studies show that some chemical elements present in the pesticides help  develop several diseases that result in the extermination of many bee populations.

         A second reason is that, in my opinion, the pesticide also contributes to pollution of the environment. Current data shows that around 50% of the applied pesticides reach the soil causing serious environmental disorders.  According to an article published in the Journal of Science, Technology and Entrepreneurship, the pesticides used in agriculture are killing the organisms that regenerate the terrestrial ecosystem. In other words, the  organic material is accumulating in the soil and causing poor distribution of the nutrients to the plants. Other research in ten Europeans countries estimates that around 48 different types of pesticides are present in the rainwater. Accordingly the surface water is also being contaminated by pesticides.

        A third reason is that, in my view, the use of pesticides negatively affects the health of humans.  According to Ribas and Matsumura, most of the families who live in rural areas are affected by diseases related to exposure to pesticides. Researchers in Camocim de São Félix state that of 159 people, 45 of them feel bad when they are applying pesticides in their farming. Another disconcerting factor is that 70.6% of the women of this city already went through miscarriages. Another relevant factor is the unhealthy feeding caused by insecticide residues on the food. In the city of Paty do Alferes, samples of tomatoes were found inappropriate for consumption because they contained high levels of toxic traces.

           Furthermore, these are not the unique problems related to the use of pesticides on bees. Unfortunately the use of these chemicals do not contribute to the development of a sustainable world. In fact, besides us, the future generation will suffer the negative consequences of the polluting actions practiced at the present.

       After all these reasons we have to think about our environment and how to protect  it against the pesticides issued on our environment. If we do not ban the use of pesticides on bees we will feel the terrible effects as soon as we can imagine.

                                                                                                                                         

REFERENCES

European Union bans three pesticides that kill bees. Available in<http://pt.euronews.com/2013/04/29/ue-proibe-tres-pesticidas-que-matam-as-abelhas/> accessed April 25, 2014.

JOHNSTON, Paul; SIMON, Gergeli.  Bees in Decline - A review of factors that put pollinators and agriculture in Europe at risk. April 2013. Greenpeace International. The Netherlands available in< http://sos-bees.org/wp content/uploads/2014/04/BeesInDecline.pdf> accessed April 20, 2014.

Journal of Science, Technology and Entrepreneurship - Cocktails de Pesticidas Prejudicam a Saude do Solo. Available in<  http://www.cienciahoje.pt/index.php?oid=58476&op=all> accessed April 20, 2014.

LIPINSKI, Jéssica. União Européia propõe Banimento de Pesticidas que Ameaçam Abelhas. Available in< http://www.institutocarbonobrasil.org.br/ecossistemas1/noticia=733115> accessed April 20, 2014.

RIBAS, Priscila P.; MATSUMURA,  Aida T.s. A química dos agrotóxicos: impacto sobre a saúde e meio ambiente. Revista Liberato, Novo Hamburgo, v. 10, n. 14, p. 149-158, jul./dez. 2009 available in< http://www.liberato.com.br/upload/arquivos/0120110910074119.pdf > accessed April 20, 2014.

The use of pesticides in agriculture. Available in< http://www.sigrh.sp.gov.br/sigrh/arqs/relatorio/crh/cbh-alpa/1121/Uso_de_agrotoxicos_na_agricultura.html > accessed April 20, 2014.