France to Ban Syngenta AG's Pesticide to Protect Bees-Reuters

Reuters reported that France is to ban Syngenta AG's pesticide which is used to treat rapeseed, after scientists suggested it could pose a danger to bees. A decline in bee populations across the world, partly due to a phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder, has prompted criticism of pesticide use, although research on the causes of falling bee numbers has not been concluded. France intends to withdraw the permit of the Cruiser OSR pesticide (Cruiser) used for coating rape seeds, pending a two-week period during which the Company can submit its own evidence. The decision was based on a report from French health and safety agency ANSES, which went along with the findings of a scientific study suggesting that a low dose of thiamethoxam, a molecule contained in Cruiser, made bees more likely to lose their way and die.