Millions of tonnes of pesticides and herbicides are being dumped on
farmland globally damaging the planet in so many ways, and even
shooting the farmers in the foot by killing the insects that benefit
biodiversity.
Due to the overuse of *cides we now see bees struggling to survive
being wiped out because the eco balance has been upset.
Where are the CONservation hooligans when we really need them?
Independent.ie
http://tinyurl.com/5e4w2f
Busy bees worth €2.6bn a year
By Paul Melia
Tuesday May 13 2008
PLANTS, animals and insects are worth €2.6bn to the economy every year
by keeping water clean, tackling pests and helping to pollinate crops.
But a new re****t on the economic benefits of biodiversity in Ireland
warns that many of our native species are at risk because of
unsustainable farming practices, climate change and development.
And it says it is "difficult" to say "anything positive" about how
fish stocks have been managed, and that if species were protected it
could lead to bigger catches in the long term.
The re****t, commissioned by the Department of Environment, Heritage
and Local Government, says that €370m a year is spent protecting
wildlife, but greater benefits would accrue if our natural resources
were properly managed.
"We are pedalling harder to stay put as we are forced to replace
ecosystems that we once took for granted," the Economic and Social
Aspects of Biodiversity re****t warns.
"No longer can farmers be sure that their crops will be reliably
fertilised by bees. Nor can we assume that our domestic sewerage will
be recycled into the natural environment without accumulating in
groundwater or watercourses. In such circumstances, the last news we
need to hear is that climate change could yet further undermine the
natural systems on which we still depend."
Recycling
The re****t says that biodiversity is essential to the breakdown and
recycling of nutrients in the soil for crops to grow, and that the
efforts of the humble earthworm in this regard are worth €700m a year.
Forest ecosystems are worth another €55m and the pollination of crops
by bees is put at €85m. Wildlife living in sand dunes, salt marshes,
estuaries or wetlands should be protected as these areas buffer the
effects of storms and flooding, but climate change puts these habitats
at "great risk". The re****t also warns that bees are at "high risk"
because of unsustainable farming practices and disease, while
earthworms are at "low but increasing" risk. Predators to combat pests
are also at "high risk" from farming practices and climate change. On
fish stocks, the re****t is scathing.
"It is difficult to find anything positive to say about the manner in
which fish stocks have been managed," it says. "The Marine Institute
has argued that 75pc of commercial species are outside safe biological
limits. Large sums of public money have been spent on the
modernisation of vessels, but there are still too many vessels chasing
too few fish. Under-re****ting, illegal catches and discards have been
significant problems."
It says the quayside value of the fish catch is €180m a year, "but it
could be worth twice this amount if fish populations were to be
managed sustainably".
It also says that as biodiversity loss continues, "so too does the
loss of potential new and significant economic resources. Future
generations will face a huge bill in terms of public health, water
purity and ultimately for environmental rehabilitation if we continue
to abuse biodiversity."
Environment Minister John Gormley said the re****t showed the need to
develop policies to protect wildlife.
"Most of us recognise the need to protect our native wildlife for its
intrinsic value and as something to be preserved for future
generations. However, this re****t presents a compelling case to
strengthen policies for the protection of biodiversity for economic
reasons and highlights far reaching social, as well as financial
benefits, for our society," he said.
- Paul Melia
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