Can beer save bees?

A key ingredient in beer will be used to protect honeybees from extinction.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday approved the widespread use of a pesticide known as potassium salts of hops beta acids (HBAs) around honeycombs.

{mosads}These hops will be used to target certain parasites that attack honeybees. 

These hops are “generally recognized as safe” for human consumption, according to the EPA, because they are commonly used to flavor beer and preserve meat.

“There is a long history of safe use of HBAs via the oral and dietary exposure to humans from its use as a preservative on meats and its presence in the beer brewing process,” the EPA wrote.

The EPA is lifting previous limits on the use of HBAs. 

The rule goes into effect immediately.