Treated seed harms pollinators, wildlife and us
Pesticide treated seed constitutes one of the primary uses of pesticides in Minnesota including corn and soy, yet treated seed is not regulated in Minnesota and there are no adequate federal or Minnesota state safeguards for the health of people, pollinators or the environment. The result of this negligence is evidenced by water contamination in Minnesota and an entire community in Nebraska taking ill from pesticide coated seed contamination. Neonicotinoid contamination has been studied repeatedly and reported on for years – it is no secret that neonicotinoid insecticides on coated seeds are toxic. Recent science shows neonics have human health effects, pesticides kill pollinators outright and sicken them at sublethal doses, neonics contaminate water (Five surface water pesticides of concern, Minnesota MDA 2020), birds are effected (Neonic reduces migration in songbirds, Eng 2019) and most recently large mammals such as deer (Effects of neonics on physiology and reproduction of white-tailed deer, Berheim 2019). This year and for the past two years, environmental advocates have been legislating for rulemaking to require safer storage and disposal of these toxic treated seed by industrial farming industry.
READ MORE Pollinator Friendly Alliance comments to State of Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture
READ MORE Pollinator Friendly Alliance comments on pesticide seed regulatory failure