For Immediate Release: July 25, 2014
Contact: Paul Towers, PAN, 916-216-1082, ptowers@panna.org
The US Geological Survey released a new report earlier today finding widespread use of the systemic pesticide clothianidin, a neonicotinoid pesticide linked to bee declines, in 75% of Midwest waterways surveyed.
According Emily Marquez, PhD, staff scientist at Pesticide Action Network:
"Given the widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides, their persistence in soil, and their high solubility in water, it's not surprising that neonics are ending up in Midwest waterways,"
"Researchers have recently documented the frequent detection of neonics at varying concentrations in surface waters in the U.S. and Canada. The fact that neonics are pervasively contaminating surface waters should be a wake-up call for state and federal regulators, that they must move more quickly to reduce and restrict use on farm fields. The global scientific community points to neonics as critical driver of bee declines. Officials should take water contamination as yet another sign that we must act now."
