Contrary to letter writer William F. Gimpel Jr., the detrimental effects of neonicotinoids on bees and other pollinators are well documented in a wealth of peer-reviewed scientific studies ("'Pollinator Protection Act' won't save the bees," March 11).
Often the impact of these chemicals on bees is subtle, with sub-lethal, chronic effects building up as bees are exposed to neonicotinoids over time. The effects include impaired navigation and learning, weakened immunity and reduced colony development.
Neonicotinoids are extremely long-lasting, and because of their persistence and mobility, they leach into the soil and nearby bodies of water where they continue to affect pollinators long after they are applied.
Moreover, scientists have also demonstrated that the effects of these systemic insecticides can exacerbate other stressors affecting facing bees, such as the varroa mites and diseases noted by Mr. Gimpel. All of these impacts result from legal uses of neonicotinoids.
Recently, scientists have indicated that in many cases, the use of neonicotinoids does not improve crop yields and can actually do more harm than good by wiping out beneficial natural pest-predators in the environment.
Given the growing body of scientific information about the harm to pollinators, contamination of the environment and adverse impact on the agricultural economy why are we continuing to fight for these chemicals? Instead, let's fight for a more sustainable environment and food system — one that's free of toxic pesticides and buzzing with healthy bees.
Larissa Walker, Washington
The writer is pollinator campaign director for the Center for Food Safety, a nonprofit public interest organization.