More Claims in the Pollinator Debate

Recent reports have made various claims about the impact of neonicotinoids and fipronil on the health and well being of pollinators and, now, other non-target organisms. The crop protection industry continues to argue that the data that are used to show deleterious effects are flawed and it is poor weather conditions, the Varroa mite and viruses that are responsible. It is good to see that there are plans to design meaningful experiments to answer these difficult questions, but disappointing to see several groups continuing to use the 'loss of bees' story to seek funding for their work.