Anonymous public comment

Scientists have demonstrated that exposure to neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides which includes dinotefuran, damages bees' brain function, including their ability to home in on the hive. Bees are essential to modern agriculture. There is no replacing them, no substitute of any meaningful kind. Over the past decade, bee colonies have been dying in increasing numbers. This creates a crisis in food production; we depend on bees to pollinate fruit and vegetable crops. Last year, researchers identified a virus as a major cause of the die-off, and suspect neonicotinoids. Neonicotiniods, including dinotefuran, are systemic, which means they persist throughout the life of the plant. Prior to 2005, beekeepers managed to keep their hives relatively healthy despite numerous stressors. In 2005 use of neonicotiniods began to increase, and bee die-off has risen correspondingly. The EPA must conduct an immediate analysis of neonicotinoids, including dinotefuran. It is not enough to trust the manufacturers of these chemicals - Syngenta and Bayer CropScience - when they claim that they are safe. Bees are essential to modern agriculture. Please, independent analysis is needed.