For Immediate Release
June 8, 2023
Contact:
Jennifer Daly
Gray Media
daly@graymediagroup.com
(860)-398-3916
OPPOSITION GROWS LOUDER AS NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATION PASSES CONTROVERSIAL BILL THAT WILL HIKE FOOD PRICES, PUT FARMERS OUT OF BUSINESS – AND IT WON’T EVEN PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
The ‘Birds and Bees Protection Act’ does nothing to protect pollinators, but does put the agriculture industry at great risk
(Albany, N.Y.) Today, New York lawmakers failed farmers, the environment, and consumers by passing legislation that bans the use of neonicotinoid treated seeds—a fundamental agricultural tool that New York farmers use to protect their crops and yields.
With the passage of this legislation, New York becomes the first state in the U.S. to pass a ban on neonicotinoid treated seeds and remove this tool for its farmers. If enacted, this will put New York farms at a huge competitive disadvantage to farmers in neighboring states and across the nation.
“New York Farm Bureau is deeply concerned that this bill strips the Department of Conservation of its science-based authority to review and register pesticides. More so, it is a step backwards for on-farm environmental management and carbon reduction that New York State is seeking. We do not believe fear should be the basis for sound farm policy in the state, but rather legislators working collaboratively with regulators and farmers to seek solutions that meet our combined goal of reducing our environmental footprint. Farmers did not submit or agree to amendments in the final bill, and we now ask Gov. Hochul to veto this legislation,” said David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President.
Seed treatments play a critical role in agriculture and the production of healthy crops. Coating seeds with a small amount of pesticides prior to planting protects seedlings when they are most vulnerable to disease and insects. Now, more than ever treated seeds are increasingly important as New York works to improve soil health and address climate change.
Treated seeds have greatly improved farmers ability to directly target pests and reduce the need for additional spraying of pesticides. Because seed treatments are attached to the seed, rather than sprayed, treated seeds eliminate exposure to non-target plants, animals, like pollinators, and humans.
Contrary to statements made by some legislators and activists, seed treatments are heavily regulated, and the pesticide products applied to seed undergo rigorous testing and EPA review for those applications prior to being approved for use commercially. The EPA carefully considers effects on non-target pest organisms, including honeybees, when they approve new insecticides for use. EPA data has shown low risk to pollinators from treated seed in recent assessments, and recently reaffirmed its confidence in the regulation of treated seed and assessments on human health and the environment in its denial of a petition seeking additional regulation.
New York also has its own rigorous review and regulatory process. A complete elimination of a class of agricultural products will cause undue complications for New York farmers, who already operate on razor thin margins.
“The Business Council representing thousands of businesses across New York State opposes adoption of S.1856-A/A.7640. Seed treatments were created to reduce pesticide use and the application to seeds results in the reduction in pesticides that are readily accessible in wildlife, including birds and bees. Moreover, there have been no bird fatalities in the U.S. confirmed to be linked to neonic treated seeds, and lab tests by the U.S. Geological Survey showed no adverse impact on birds that consumed the seeds. Likewise, bee populations have actually stabilized as neonic use has increased. The legislation is a bad precedent,” said Ken Pokalsky, Vice President of the Business Council of New York State.
A report from the USDA National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) shows that as of 2021, the impact of pesticides on honey bee colonies in New York was negligible.
“Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is tasked with representing businesses and residents in the Finger Lakes region as well as protecting the environment of this beautiful area where we live, work and play – and that’s why we have concerns with legislation S.1856/A.7640. We believe that all parties must take a closer look because in the form in which it currently exists, we believe it would be catastrophic to farmers, it would trigger higher prices at the grocery store, and it would not benefit the environment as advertised,“ said Robert Duffy, President and CEO of Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.
As the fourth largest dairy producing state in the country, banning treated seeds that dairy farmers grow to feed their cows is counterintuitive to helping to encourage investment in that thriving sector.
“Beyond growing produce, many New York farmers grow crops to feed livestock—including chickens and dairy cows. Having to import feed for our animals will cost more, cause disruption and potential price hikes for everyday products like eggs and milk. We don’t want to have to charge our customers more because lawmakers have been misinformed about the safety of the products we currently use,” said Jim Davenport, a dairy farmer in Columbia County.
For consumers who are already facing high prices at the grocery store, this legislation will cost them even more, and may likely lead to a drop in the availability of some products. Growers around the state will need to reconsider the viability of bringing fresh New York produce and dairy to residents of the state and beyond.
“Let’s be clear—New York lawmakers are being manipulated by out of state special interest groups, who want to see scientifically sound agricultural products banned, no matter who they hurt in the process. This is a nationally funded campaign that will impact farmers from coast to coast if Governor Hochul fails to veto this and stand up for the agricultural community,” said Brian Reeves, President, New York State Vegetable Growers Association.
“The Food Industry Alliance of NYS is concerned that legislation such as A.7640/S.1856-A will put further, unnecessary, tension on the food supply chain by limiting the quantities of locally sourced products and increased stress on New York’s agribusiness and farming community. Both results would increase the fiscal strain on the retail food industry and consumers, which is entirely unnecessary in this unpredictable economy,” said Michael Durant, President of the Food Industry Alliance of New York State.
“When we see our lawmakers come to glad hand at our county fairs this summer, I hope my farmer brethren will tell them how they failed us. How by allowing this legislation to pass they’ve put my farm, my family legacy and future, and the future crops we grow at risk. All to appease misinformed activists,” said Jim Davenport, the dairy farmer from Columbia County.
We respectfully ask for Governor Kathy Hochul to reject the measure and veto this bill at her earliest opportunity.
New York for Common Sense Pesticide Policy 