Peter Kevan
It is interesting to read some of the comments on this technology. As one of the scientists who has helped spearhead the research leading to this technology, I can offer some clarifications.
The agents that can be dispersed by managed pollinators to help protect crops in the field and greenhouses are biological, i.e. they are living agents, moreover they are natural and native, that suppress fungal pathogens on crop plants and infect and suppress populations of pest insects. To call the agents "pesticides" is technically correct because the agents kill pests, but the agents are NOT synthetic chemicals.
The technology adds biodiversity and biocomplexity to agricultural ecosystems, and is organic.
All the appropriate tests so far conducted have not indicated that there are major stressful effects on bumblebees or honeybees.
Tests are still on-going with respect to managed pollinator safety, environmental safety, effects on other beneficial organisms in agricultural systems, and so on.
It would be nice to see this replace some of the nastier neonics and other pesticides.. particularly the ones used to coat the seeds with that are distributed through the plant as it grows, and infecting bees/wax/eggs /larvae etc... But again, ONLY if the log term effect isnt worse than what we already have...
