This blog post describes some of the unintended consequences of treating seeds with pesticides. The minute coating on seeds seems to have a much larger effect than intended. Researchers are examining the impacts of treating seeds with neonicotinoids, or neonics. Meanwhile, environmentalists are pressing the EPA to move for an outright ban.
Can farmers and suppliers self regulate to protect bees? Should the EPA step in? Listen to the post, and let us know what you think.
Dan Charles has this story http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/03/25/175278607/are-agricultures-most-popular-insecticides-killing-our-bees