Neonics necessary for Green Industry

A group of independent researchers from AgInfomatics, LLC recently evaluated the socio-economic significance of  neonicotinoid insecticides on the Green Industry. 

The researchers concluded that these insecticides are essential for healthy, safe agriculture; and successful integrated pest management (IPM) programs use neonicotinoids to protect both humans and the environments from dangerous pests.

The goal of the study was to determine what would happen if a situation arose where neonicotinoids were not available.

Approximately 19,000 participants answered the survey with 7,472 of them stating that they had used insecticides either personally or professionally. Then they answered questions about the efficacy, cost, safety and environmental impact of various insecticides. They also marked how much they would be willing to pay for a range of these products.

The participants stated that they were willing to pay more than $100 each year for neonicotinoids.

The final report from the group included five separate studies of the U.S. Green Industry, which has more than $70 billion in sales. There are more than 400,000 businesses that are part of the Green Industry.

The team of researchers included eight professors from the University of Minnesota at Saint Paul, the University of Wisconsin in Madison and Washington State University.