The New York State Legislature is considering legislation to ban the use of Neonicotinoids (“neonics”), a tool farmers, homeowners, and urban landscapers use to enable climate-smart ag practices, and protect farms and green spaces from harmful pests and pest-borne illnesses. These legislative efforts intend to address issues related to pollinators and pollinator health. However, they are guided more by politics and emotion than science, and they don’t address the primary issues impacting pollinators, but would prevent farmers, residents, and land managers from protecting against harmful and invasive pest pressures. Albany is once again considering banning neonics this session, with harmful consequences to sustainable farming practices and food access.
Bee health is a complex issue with contemporary research showing the most significant health issues are Varroa mites, microbial diseases, habitat and foreage, bee management practices, and climate change. The Varroa mite is an external parasite that attacks both adult and young honey bees. Varroa mites weaken bees and transmit deadly viruses while they feed. Untreated or unmonitored, the mites can cause honey bees to abscond from their hives or cause colony death. The Varroa mite is the most significant cause of poor bee and hive health along with the Nosema, the most common and widespread disease in honey bees.
Banning neonics would result in unintended consequences and likely require farmers and landscape managers to consider more antiquated technologies with higher risk profiles.
Passing a law to ban neonics would greatly undermine the benefits and effectiveness of treated seeds in IPM programs. More than ever, modern day seed treatments are enabling America’s farmers to realize greater yields, healthier crops, and the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices. At the same time, seed treatment technology is reducing potential risks to the environment, thanks to its highly targeted approach. It is important to note that pesticides applied as seed treatments undergo rigorous testing and review by federal and state regulators to ensure their safety for applicators, wildlife, and the environment, and must be specifically approved for this use by the U.S. EPA.
National data on managed bee colonies showed an 8% increase in total colonies in the U.S. from 2019 to 2020. Additionally, New York saw fewer colonies lost in 2020 than 2019. It is important to understand that this data continues to fluctuate in the state and in the country. Given the complexity surrounding bee health, we believe collaborative and science-based efforts are the best way to achieve the shared goal of stewardship and protecting the long-term health of pollinators.
Neonicotinoid insecticides, when applied according to the label, are safe and effective tools used in New York by farmers and land managers to manage difficult and harmful pests. Neonics are a valuable option for common insect problems, including grubs and aphids, as well as for treating invasive emerald ash borer infestations in high value trees, and the hemlock woolly adelgid, which has been discovered in several areas in the Adirondack Park. Neonics are also important tools for farmers growing common fruits and vegetables, and as seed treatments to protect against early disease and pest pressures.
We urge the legislature to support the New York State Pollinator Protection Plan, sound-science, and existing regulatory and educational outreach processes, and we urge them to reject efforts that aren’t backed by science and would, ultimately, make our farms, homes, and green spaces less sustainable and more susceptible to pest damage.
Resources
New York’s dairy farmers, corn and soybean growers, vegetable producers, golf course superintendents, professional landscapers, and certified crop advisors urge Gov. Hochul and legislative leaders to oppose banning neonics. Read their letter here.
Additional Links and Resources
Agriculture Experts Say State Bill to Save Bees From Insecticides Goes too Far
EPA Schedule for Review of Neonicotinoid Pesticides
EPA Actions to Protect Pollinators
EPA Responds to Treated Seed Petition
Seed Treatments Can Protect Against Threats Like Pythium
Beepocalypse Myth Handbook: Assessing claims of pollinator collapse
New York for Common Sense Pesticide Policy 