Just a few weeks ago, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it was pulling 12 products off the market that contained pesticides that were harmful to the honeybee. This week, the agency made an emergency exception for nearly a dozen states to use a pesticide called sulfoxaflor on certain crops. Environmental advocates worry about the chemical’s harmful impact on bees.
Kari Segraves is an associate professor of biology at Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences. She anticipates the new policy will negatively impact pollinator populations.
Segraves says:
“The release of the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement is ironically timed with ‘Pollinator Week’. Unfortunately, the new policy will have strong negative impacts on pollinator populations.
“Sulfoxaflor is quite toxic to native bees such as bumblebees that are key pollinators of many native and rare plant species as well as crop plants. Moreover, other pollinating insects and natural enemies of herbivores can also be affected.
“As pollinator populations decline, we will see cascading declines of fruit and seed production that could affect both natural areas and agriculture. Given that pollinator populations are struggling, now is the time to think about the future of these critical communities.
“We should follow the lead of the European Union and ban these chemicals.”
To request interviews or get more information:
Daryl Lovell
Media Relations Manager
Division of Marketing and Communications
T 315.443.1184 M 315.380.0206
dalovell@syr.edu | @DarylLovell
The Nancy Cantor Warehouse, 350 W. Fayette St., 2nd Fl., Syracuse, NY 13202
news.syr.edu | syracuse.edu
Syracuse University
As the Roman Catholic Church begins a new chapter under Pope Leo XIV, historians and scholars are helping the public interpret the significance of this moment. Among them is Margaret Susan Thompson, professor of history in the Maxwell School of…
President Trump recently signed an executive order focusing on educational opportunities surrounding artificial intelligence. Among other things, it establishes a task force to promote AI-related education and tools in the classroom. That is a major area of focus for Dr….
This week marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, when Nazi Germany formally surrendered to Allied forces on May 8, 1945, bringing an end to World War II in Europe. While it signaled the collapse of Hitler’s…
If you need an expert to discuss the legacy of Pope Francis, you may want to consider Syracuse University Catholic Father Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv., or The Rev. Brian E. Konkol, Ph.D., vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel. He…
Fluoride in drinking water has become a highly charged topic in recent weeks. In March, Utah became the first state to prohibit the addition of fluoride to the state’s public water systems, a move praised by U.S. Health Secretary Robert…
If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.
