Neonic open comment period
The Minnesota Dept of Agriculture has opened a comment period on whether their regulations governing pesticides are adequate to protect the state’s natural resources and people from neonic pesticide pollution stemming from neonic-coated crop seeds. This was prompted by a lawsuit from NRDC and MCEA, which alleges these regulations are inadequate and violate the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act (Minn. Stat. 116B).
Widespread use of neonic-coated crop seeds is causing pollution and degradation of Minnesota’s land, water, and wildlife. And it likely poses risks to human health. Current restrictions and guidance have been in place for years, but neonic pollution continues to worsen. “Business as usual” is unacceptable and MDA must take further action.
Learn more about neonic contamination effects here.
Treated seeds are the main cause of widespread neonic contamination in Minnesota. Nearly 100% of conventional corn and about half or more of soybean grown in Minnesota is grown from a neonic-treated seed, meaning these seeds are spread on at least 12 million acres of farmland each year. Leading research shows that the vast majority of neonics applied to seeds are not absorbed by the seed, but instead enter the environment. As a result, MDA has observed that reported honey bee kills and neonic levels in surface water spike during the spring corn and soybean planting season. Contamination driven by treated seed use will continue unless MDA takes meaningful action.