Recently, in June 2011, the department of Agriculture did authorize to use an insecticide, namely CRUISER OSR, produced by the company Syngenta, for oilseed rape.
In the opinion of beekeepers using such a product on those agricultural crops is too much dangerous for bees colonies which have reached the town as a reserve in order to prevent their destruction.
This dangerousness is confirmed in the specifications sheet itself, that can be downloaded from Syngenta's site, where the mention dangerous for the bees is explicitely given. In addition we can read in the specifications sheet: very toxic for aquatic species, can induce adverse effects on the aquatic environment on a long-term basis.
In this conditions one can ask the reasons why the minister did give such an authorization. Moreover, a similar product, the CRUISER 350, contaning the same insecticide thiamétoxam has lost its authorization by a decision of the Council of State, the highest decision structure in the country. Since 2008, the authorization was exceptionally extended, year after year. In September 2011, the Council of State again declared as abusive this authorization.
About the authorization given to CRUISER OSR, the "Union nationale de l'apiculture française" (UNAF) declares :
Its authorization on oilseed rape, a plant very visited by hymenopterans is extremely serious for the future of french colonies of bees.
Its an additionnal attack to our bees. Once again we have to notice with disgust the lack of interest of the departement of Agriculture for our case and we are fearing for a next silent spring in rape areas.