Ban Dangerous and Unnecessary Uses of Toxic Neonic Pesticides in New York!
The NYS Assembly has passed the Birds and Bees Protection Act! This is a huge step forward in protecting our pollinators from a dangerous and toxic pesticide—neonicotinoids (aka “neonics”). Neonics kill bees, pollute our water, and threaten public health! Now we need your help in calling on the NYS Senate and urging them to pass this monumental legislation. We need your help—there are only a few weeks left to pass this bill!
The Birds and Bees Protection Act (S.1856/A.3226) would ban neonic treated corn, soybean, and wheat seeds, as well as cosmetic uses on lawn and gardens in New York State. This will eliminate at least 85% - 90% of all neonics used in New York, protect water quality, and ensure we are not poisoning our birds, bees, and pollinators with this toxic pesticide. Here on Long Island, neonics are common contaminants found in groundwater and pose a threat to our sole-source aquifer system. We need our Long Island State Senators to vote yes and ensure this crucial legislation gets passed this year. There are only a few weeks of legislative session left—we cannot wait any longer!
Background:
Pollinators, such as honeybees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds, are essential components of our food web. Massive bee die-off events and colony collapse disorder are putting our ecosystem and food production at risk. This rise in bee deaths has been largely linked to the explosive growth in the use of neonics and other harmful pesticides. Neonics are pesticides that attack the nervous system of insects. These pesticides largely added as a seed coating to plants, such as corn, wheat, and soybeans and used as a spray for ornamental plants and turf. As a seed coating these chemicals persist and spread as the plant grows, making the entire plant toxic to bees and other pollinators.
Neonics are also threatening New York’s waters. A 2018 U.S. Fish and Wildlife study found neonics in New York’s streams “in excess of toxicity and regulatory thresholds.” Additionally, extensive testing of New York’s surface waters by the USGS in 2016 found the neonic imidacloprid in nearly 40% of samples. There are currently 117 pesticides found in Long Island’s groundwater, with neonics being one of the most prevalent pesticides detected. Neonics are persistent in our water and environment, posing a serious threat to health and pollinators.
Corn, soy, and wheat treated seeds account for an estimated 73% of all neonics used in New York. Lawn, garden, ornamental, and turf (aka cosmetic) uses make up an additional 15%. A 2020 report by Cornell University found that neonic treated corn, soy, and wheat seeds provide "no overall net income benefits" to farmers yet pose significant risk to bees and other pollinators. Likewise, cosmetic uses pose a high risk to pollinators but are easily replaced with safer alternatives. These uses are unnecessary and must be banned to protect our pollinators.
Thank you for taking action!
Sincerely,
All of Us at CCE