Laurel says this initiative is a feel-good thing. I agree.--Tom Mathews -----Original Message----- From: Laurel Hopwood <[log in to unmask]> To: CONS-SPST-BIOTECH-FORUM <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Sat, Jun 21, 2014 12:26 pm Subject: White House task force charged with saving bees from mysterious decline http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jun/20/bees-die-off-mystery-white-house-plan-save White House task force charged with saving bees from mysteriousdecline (edited) Barack Obama is taking steps save honey beesfrom the die-off, ordering new research into the pesticides linked tothe pollinators' collapse. The presidential memorandum released by theWhite House charges a new task force with producing a strategy to stopthe alarming decline of honeybees, butterflies and other pollinators.The memorandum also for the first time directs the EPA to carry outresearch into the role of a new class of pesticides, neonicotinoids,that have been linked with the collapse of the honeybees. However, Obama stopped short of a ban onneonicotinoids, as the European Union has done. The Center for Food Safety in its responsesaid: "There is already a wealth of peer reviewed literaturedemonstrating the harms of pesticides to bees and otherpollinators." laurel writes: The evidence is in about theneonic link with the honeybee demise. Too bad the President bowed downto big ag and failed to follow the EU lead. This is a feel goodthing. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-BIOTECH-FORUM list, send any message to:[log in to unmask] out our Listserv Lists support site for more information:http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.aspSign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagshipe-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club'slatest news and activities. Subscribe and view recenteditions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/