Advocates call on Governor Hochul to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act and ban unnecessary uses of toxic neonics pesticides
For immediate release: November 14, 2023
Contact: Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director: 631-384-1378 (mobile), aesposito@citizenscampaign.org
Farmingdale, NY—Ahead of Thanksgiving, advocates came together to fight for the protection of one of earth’s most important species, bees, and call on Governor Hochul to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act. This law would ban the use of neonicotinoid (neonic) treated seeds for corn, soybean, and wheat seeds, as well as ornamental uses such as on lawns, gardens, and golf courses. The harmful overuse of neonics has devastated pollinator populations in New York. Honeybee keepers are losing over 45% of their colonies annually. These pollinator losses are attributed to the use of neonics, mainly from coated seeds. Corn, soybean, and wheat treated seeds account for over 73% of all neonics used in New York and ornamental uses make up an additional 15%. According to a 2020 report by Cornell University, these uses provide no net income benefit to users yet pose some of the highest risks to pollinators.
Many of the staples at the Thanksgiving table are pollinator dependent crops, such as pumpkins, squash, and apples. Unfortunately, the unnecessary use of neonics has decimated pollinator populations and as a result we are starting to see smaller yields of these crops. To avoid future Thanksgiving dinners without pumpkin pie, Governor Hochul must sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act.
View a recording of the press conference here.
Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment said, “Governor Hochul, give us something to really be thankful for this Thanksgiving, sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act! This bill is the most environmentally important bill awaiting the Governor’s signature and the entire country is watching to see if New York acts as a leader. Our bees and pollinators are essential to produce so many of the foods we love at Thanksgiving. We can start thanking them by not continuing to poison them with toxic neonics. The bill needs to be signed without weakening amendments. We won’t settle for just a piece of the pie, Governor Hochul needs to go for it all and ban neonic treated corn, soybean, and wheat, seeds as well as ornamental uses. If the Governor can’t save the bees, we are going to rely on the Legislature to override her and save the bees themselves.”
Caitlin Ferrante, Conservation & Development Program Manager, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter said, “Science has shown that neonicotinoids are one of the main causes of an alarming crash in pollinator populations nationwide,” said Caitlin Ferrante, Conservation Program Manager, Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter. “The Birds and Bees Protection Act is an historic, nation-leading bill that will end the unnecessary use of these toxic pesticides and has been crafted to reflect the concerns raised by ag communities. The Sierra Club strongly urges the Governor to sign this important bill into law, to address the unnecessary use of neonics in treated corn, wheat, and soy seeds, and also in turf and ornamental environments. S1856-A/A7640 reflects key findings of NY’s own Cornell University. The Birds and Bees Protection Act is gearing up to be a defining moment for Governor Hochul’s environmental legacy and we urge her to sign it into law today.”
“Neonics are the most ecologically destructive pesticides since DDT, and extensive, state-commissioned research shows their largest and most widespread use—toxic seed coatings on corn and soybean seeds—provides $0 in benefits to New York farmers,” said Dan Raichel, Acting Director, Pollinator Initiative, Natural Resources Defense Council. “Add that to the bee losses diminishing fruit and vegetable production, extensive neonic water contamination, and the growing threats to New Yorkers’ health, and there is no good argument left for inaction. The Birds and Bees Protection Act gives the Governor a commonsense way to follow through on her stated commitment to pollinators and be the environmental leader New York State needs.”
Joy Flynn, Conservation Chair of Garden Clubs of America said “For the past two years, garden clubs in New York State have been advocating for the elimination of neonicotinoids on edible seeds and their use in home gardening products. The NYS legislature has passed the bill and we're counting on Governor Hochul to do the right thing and sign it into law."
Moira Alexander-Master Beekeeper said “Honeybees are an integral part of New York State's agriculture and economy. The income produced by the beekeeping industry for pollination services generates about $300 million with an additional $11 million dollars for the sale of honey. Honeybees are a vital part of our ecosystem and are part of the biodiversity on which we all depend for survival. It is in our best interest to protect them from harmful pesticides by signing this bill into law.”
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