It was a wise decision. Whether or not I bee-lieve the studies and their assumptions, nevertheless – on a pragmatic side it doesn’t matter: Reduction of pesticides that are NOT species specific _is_ a good thing, and if a “save the bees” campaign is what it takes, then that’s what it takes.
We have less and less of a need for all-purpose, kill ’em all pesticides, as advances in species identification, DNA work, and a growing ability to destroy populations by destroying their ability to reproduce (or that target their young) on an insect-family level, means the “old ways” of pesticiding are less and less necessary to have hanging around.
But, people are generally NOT coaxed by rational arguments and I understand the need for emotional appeals, both to the general population and especially in court situations and in lawmaking in general.
It’s one of those “end justifies the means” situations to me and I’m ok with it.