Anonymous public comment

Clothianidin Pesticide harms honeybees and must be banned. It is a well known fact that chemicals such as clothianidin are acting on the central nervous system of insects. In honeybees, this can be lethal because it weakens their immune systems and makes them more susceptible to pathogens. Most European countries, including France, Germany and Italy have limited or banned the use of clothianidin. The tolerance levels proposed in the new rule will impact the bee population. Moreover, in the Risk Assessment and Determination of Safety section of the rule, the EPA fails to take in consideration any data that shows that clothianidin is toxic to honeybees. In fact, the rule fails to take into account any impact on honeybees. Because crops are treated with clothianidin millions of honeybees will die. The pollen that the bees will take back to their colonies will contain the chemical. The bees will consume the pollen and their immune systems will be affected and than they will die because of viruses and pathogens. Beekeepers think that using clothianidin is like "giving bees AIDS". Accordingly, the EPA should take in consideration the scientific studies and the data that shows that clothianidin is toxic to honeybees.