There is a preponderance of literature showing harmful effects to bees and other organisms from neonics. EPA has this science-based literature available to them, conducted by independent researchers at land-grant universities across the U.S., as well as USDA researchers, USGS researchers, and international researchers.
EPA is fully aware of the damage being caused to honey bees, native pollinators, soil sustainability, water quality, and beekeeping by the use of these neonic pesticides. The Pollinator Stewardship Council will work during 2019 to defeat the re-registration of Neonicotinoids for the health of our managed and native pollinators.
End of summer and over-winter losses of bee colonies range from 30-70% . If another agricultural stakeholder (cattle, chickens, hogs, sheep) suffered similar losses the USDA/EPA would have examined all factors and worked to protect livestock. Honey bees are a beekeepers livestock, and therefore their livelihood. If the livestock is not producing a crop, honey, and the livestock suffers a 10-20% loss due to pesticides simply while pollinating fruits, nuts, vegetables, and seed crops, plus the end of summer and over winter losses from the cumulative impact of pesticides, there will be less honey produced in the U.S. and less crops pollinated, and less bees year after year. These systemic pesticides, toxic to bees, which remain toxic in the soil, water, and plants long after application, are creating unsustainable agriculture, and threatening the very existence of honey bees and native pollinators.
https://www.beeculture.com/catch-the...il-bee-losses/