English

Atrazine, the most widely used herbicide in the United States, has been shown in several studies to be an endocrine disruptor in adult frogs. Results from this study indicate that atrazine also functions as an immune disruptor in frogs. Exposure to atrazine (21 ppb for 8 d) affects the innate immune response of adult Rana pipiens in similar ways to acid exposure (pH 5.5), as we have previously shown. Atrazine exposure suppressed the thioglycollate-stimulated recruitment of white blood cells to the peritoneal cavity to background (Ringer exposed) levels and also decreased the phagocytic activity of these cells. Unlike acid exposure, atrazine exposure did not cause mortality. Our results, from a dose–response study, indicate that atrazine acts as an immune disruptor at the same effective doses that it disrupts the endocrine system.

An injection study and a field study were used to investigate the hypothesis that environmental xenobiotics have the potential to alter the immune function of northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens). Three assays, IgM-specific antibody response to keyhole limpet hemocyanin linked to dinitrophenyl (KLH-DNP), zymozan induced chemiluminescence (CL) of whole blood and the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), were used to assay humoral, innate and cell-mediated immune endpoints. Sublethal doses of DDT (923 ng/g wet wt), malathion (990 ng/g wet wt), and dieldrin (50 ng/g wet wt) were used in the injection study. In all pesticide-injected groups, antibody response was dramatically suppressed, DTH reactions were enhanced, and respiratory burst was lower. When the order of administration of pesticides and antigens was reversed, no differences in immune function between the control and dosed groups were apparent, indicating that frogs exposed to pathogens prior to pesticide exposure can still respond. A field study found significant differences in immune function between frog populations in pesticide-exposed and pesticide-free locations. The antibody response and CL were suppressed and the DTH enhanced in frogs from Essex County (ON, Canada).
Overall, the results suggest that exposure to these pesticides can cause both stimulatory and suppressive immune changes in adult frogs and is doing so in wild populations.

Recently, a decrease in the populations of marine toads (Bufo marinus) and whistling frogs (Eleutherodactylus johnstonei and E. gossei) has been noted on the island of Bermuda. In the current study, we investigated whether this decline was related to altered immune functions. During August 1998, a significant proportion (25%) of the toads exhibited deformities. Analysis of soil samples revealed presence of chlorinated pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Spleen cells from toads collected from more polluted areas of Bermuda exhibited a decrease in B-cell proliferative response to lipopolysaccharide when compared to the responsiveness of B cells from toads collected from less polluted areas. In contrast, the T-cell responsiveness to mitogens in these two groups was not significantly altered. Histological examination of major parenchymatous organs in marine toads and whistling frogs showed alterations in hepatic and splenic morphology, indicative of exposure to toxicants. Together, the current study suggests that the immune functions of toads from contaminated sites of Bermuda are significantly altered, which may contribute to the decline in their population.

The European Food Safety Authority has concluded that a recent paper raising concerns about the potential toxicity of genetically modified (GM) maize NK603 and of a herbicide containing glyphosate is of insufficient scientific quality to be considered as valid for risk assessment.

We analyzed migration counts of American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) at 20 autumn migration hawkwatch sites throughout North America to estimate population trends. In eastern North America, autumn counts showed a pattern of significant declines along the Atlantic Coast and eastern Appalachian Mountains, stable numbers in the eastern Great Lakes region, and a significant increase in the western Great Lakes region from 1974 to 2004. From 1994 to 2004, significant declines occurred at most hawkwatch sites in eastern North America, with nonsignificant declines recorded in the western Great Lakes, northeastern Quebec, and Florida. In western North America, three counts from the Intermountain and Rocky Mountain regions that spanned the mid-1980s to 2005 showed mixed long-term trends. From 1995 to 2005, counts decreased significantly at three and nonsignificantly at two of six western hawkwatch sites active throughout the period. These results suggest population declines across much of interior western North America and the Pacific Northwest; however, kestrel counts remained comparatively stable since the mid-1980s in the southern Rocky Mountains. Migration counts along the Gulf of Mexico were variable from 1995 to 2005, with no strong indication of population changes in this region. The overall pattern of migration counts suggests that kestrel populations have undergone a long-term decline in northeastern North America and more recent declines in the midwestern and western regions of the continent.

The Commission will be aware of the public’s concern about neonicotinoid pesticides. Two neonicotinoids, Clothianidin and Thiamethoxam, were recognised as active substances under Annex I of Directive 91/414/EEC in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 sets out soil persistence levels of 120 days, whilst Annex VI of Directive 91/414/EEC, which preceded the regulation, suggests a 100-day ceiling, and guidance contained in a Commission working document of 12 July 2000 entitled ‘Guidance Document on Persistence in Soil’, issued by the Directorate-General for Agriculture, highlights similar limits. However, numerous peer-reviewed and respected scientific papers note that neonicotinoids like Clothianidin have a half-life that can range from 148 days to in excess of 1 155 days depending on the soil type. Notwithstanding the Commission’s previous responses to Written Questions E‑001297/2012, E‑011166/2011 and E‑001921/2012, could the Commission: 1. confirm it is satisfied that the assessments for (a) Clothianidin and (b) Thiamethoxam are compliant with EC law, including their soil persistence levels? 2. provide me with details on the approvals for (a) Clothianidin and (b) Thiamethoxam which include the scientific justifications as well as their assessed soil persistence levels?

EFSA has asked Helen Thompson from the British Food Agency to write a report on interactions between pesticides and other factors in effects on bees. Helen Thompson is well known to have been working closely with the pesticides industry and to systematically deny relevant studies pointing at pesticides to explain honeybees disappearance. The outcome of the report commissioned to Thompson cannot be a surprise for EFSA and it wasn’t: Thompson concluded that there is no field-study that can demonstrate that neonicotinoid insecticides are responsible for honeybee colony deaths and points at other factors than pesticides for the bee decline. PAN-Europe blames EFSA for attributing the contract to a person whose conflicts of interest are unacceptable and whose famous biased opinion is more than suspicious.

An iconic bird of the Hampshire heathland has seen a dramatic decline in its numbers over the past few years. The Dartford warbler (Sylvia undata), unlike almost all other warblers, has suffered a major setback, with just 50 pairs reported across areas of Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey and Sussex, according to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Russia has suspended the import and use of an American GM corn following a study suggesting a link to breast cancer and organ damage. Separately, the European Food Safety Authority(EFSA), has ordered its own review in to the research, which was conducted at a French university. The decision by Russia could be followed by other nations in what would be a severe blow to the take-up of the controversial technology.

The Committee has launched a new inquiry into the impact of insecticides on bees and other insects. On 18 September, Defra published an analysis of the results of its review of research done earlier in the year on the effects of neonicotinoid pesticides on bees. It concluded that the studies did not justify changing existing regulations, but also that it was undertaking further research itself and would produce a new risk assessment for bees by the end of 2012. The Committee will examine the basis on which Defra decided not to take action at this stage and whether such a course is justified by the available evidence. The Committee invites organisations and members of the public to submit written evidence, setting out their views on these issues. More wide ranging responses are also welcome. Submissions should ideally be sent to the Committee by Friday 2nd November, although later submissions may be accepted. Guidance on preparing submissions is set out below.