Brief History of Pesticides and Neonicotinoids:

Pesticides and insecticides were first introduced in the 1960’s with the Green Revolution in efforts to combat insects that destroyed crops. The pesticides and insecticides used many chemicals that killed off many insects and helped to increase yield of crops annually. As technology advanced, scientists began using more chemicals and technologies to ward off insects in the agriculture industry, thus eventually creating neonicotinoids. Originally, neonicotinoids were introduced in the 1970’s and have been developed to be one of the most potent and popular insecticides.

How Neonicotinoids Work:  

Neonicotinoids are a relatively newer pesticide that attack the central nervous system in insects that lead to paralysis and death. The agriculture industry sprays the crops with neonicotinoids, causing insects to come into direct contact with the pesticide. Scientists have also developed systemic neonicotinoids to cover seeds that are then, “absorbed by the plant and distributed through its tissues,” which also kill bees and other pollinators (Xerces Society).

Economic and Environmental Effects:

The use of neonicotinoids has caused for a boom within the pesticide industry and generates a great portion of the agricultural and pesticidal economies. Many farmers rely on neonicotinoids to increase their yield of crops and income annually. Neonicotinoids are currently the most popular used insecticide and makes up “approximately 40% of the world market share” (Rempel). The industry has also begun developing better ways to implement neonicotinoids into the crops to reduce drift and its length it lingers in the environment. Scientists continue to develop new neonicotinoids that are more hydrophilic and less toxic to animals (Rempel). With out neonicotinoids, much of the world would not have the substantial amount of food required to support the enormous population.

On the other hand, while the pesticide industry generates a large portion of the agriculture economy, the effects from the use of neonicotinoids can be defined as detrimental. Since the introduction of neonicotinoids, the populations of bees and other pollinators has plummeted. Scientists are also worried about the effects of neonicotinoids on bird populations as well. While also using system neonicotinoids, many of the chemicals can be soaked up by the soil then travel through run-off into water sources, effecting more populations.  Bees and other pollinators are responsible for pollinating most of the fruits and vegetables, especially ones that are averagely see in a grocery store (Rempel). Bees also help with the life cycle of plants by pollinating plants that lack both sex organs, so that the plants can reproduce after like almonds, broccoli, apples, and more. As well as plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, ultimately helping humans to breath and live. The bees are vital to the human population because they conclusively help maintain life cycles of plants that are necessary for human life and current diets.

So we ask whether the Oregon community should ban the use neonicotinoids to help the bee population or should they continue to use their same practices?