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Pesticides go through regulatory processes, according to the country where they are to be sold. However, many pesticides are controversial, with accusations that regulatory systems have not necessarily caught up with pesticide technology, and the potential effects of those pesticides on eco-systems and wildlife, and human health are not being properly recognised nor taken into account.

For example, Neonicotinoid and systemic pesticides are licensed for use in the UK on farms and in household gardening products. Ingredients include: imidacloprid, acetamocloprid, fipronil, Clothianidin, thiacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Dinotefuran and Nitenpyram.

Buglife and a number of conservation organisations as well as independent scientists, have pointed out that the research required by the regulatory bodies, does not take account of:

- the impact of sub-lethal effects, which may not cause acute mortality (immediate death) of beneficial insects such as bees, but cause chronic mortality (eventual death, eg, through inability to function).

- it does not take account of the impact of combinations of pesticides - for example, what happens given that these chemicals may become part of a build up, due to the use of several chemicals.

- the effect of tiny doses, which nevertheless, build up in time, in soil, water and eco-systems.

There is a large body of independent evidence currently stating that neonicotinoids harm/kill bees, yet unlike some other European countries, neither the UK nor the USA have banned the pesticides. The makers of some of these pesticides, Bayer, was sued by the German and French beekeepers after bees died in huge numbers following the use of these pesticides. All of this calls in to question how safe pesticides are, when they can be viewed and handled differently in countries. Additionally, pesticides which damage eco- systems, and especially pollinators, in some way, are sure to effect man at some point, since humans rely on the natural environment for food.

Pesticides are also controversial because of reported risks associated with health. Much information can be gleaned from Beyond Pesticides, Pesticides Action Network, and The Rachel Carson Foundation. The case of Georgina Downes is also worth researching on the internet!

Fortunately, consumers have a choice: if they do not wish to eat or use pesticides, they can choose organic products, and seek alternatives to pesticides - there is an increasing amount of information about these made available free of charge to the public.

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