This week, the State Assembly returns for what is expected to be two more days of legislative action before they wrap up their side of the 2023 Session. The State Senate already completed their work, overwhelmingly passing a number of NYLCV-priority bills that have not yet been voted on by the Assembly, leaving the lower house with a huge opportunity on measures such as a Clean Fuel Standard (CFS), the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Law, and a Just Energy Transition, among others.
Experts sound the alarm over toxic pesticide found in ‘half the American population’: ‘The highest levels [are] in children’
![Experts sound the alarm over toxic pesticide found in ‘half the American population’: ‘The highest levels [are] in children’](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b72eb5b8ab7222baffc8dbb/1689025504245-5ZS20I8WCD33FR13QHA8/News+Logo.jpg)
It turns out that using powerful neurotoxins to kill insects is (surprise) impacting other animals, and even people.
At issue are neonicotinoids, which The Hill reports came into use in the 1990s. While these poisons are good at killing bugs, experts are worried that neonicotinoids could be akin to DDT, which was banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1972 for its impact on the environment and people, in part, for cancer risks.
After Years of Effort by Environmentalists New York State Legislature Bans Unnecessary Uses of Toxic Bee Killing Neonic Pesticides
Advocates are BUZZING and Neonics will feel the STING
For immediate release: June 9, 2023
Albany, NY – The NYS Senate and Assembly resoundingly passed the Birds and Bees Protection Act. This law bans the use of neonicotinoid (neonic) treated corn, soybean, and wheat seeds, as well as ornamental uses such as on lawns, gardens, and golf courses. A diverse coalition, made up of environmental organizations, health care professionals, and organic farmers worked for several years to advance the bill.
“The birds are chirping, and the bees are buzzing with praise for our Senate and Assembly members taking action to address toxic neonic pesticides.” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “Neonics not only threaten our pollinators, but also contaminate our entire environment. From Long Island to the Great Lakes, neonics are contaminating our water resources and are often found at high levels. By eliminating the high-risk/low benefit uses of this pesticide, we can protect our pollinators, food security, water quality, health, and environment. CCE applauds Senator Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblywoman Glick for sponsoring and championing this bill”.
Neonicotinoids (A.K.A. “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 also threaten New York’s water resources, food security, and public health.
The harmful overuse of neonics has devastated pollinator populations across the globe and in New York. These pollinator losses have been attributed to the sudden spike in use of neonics, mainly from treated 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.
The Birds and Bees Protection Act (S.1856A/A.7640) would ban these low benefit/high risk uses of neonics in New York. 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 from this toxic pesticide. Now, we look forward to working with the Governor to sign this landmark legislation and eliminate these unnecessary and dangerous uses of neonic pesticides.
New York Protects “The Birds & The Bees” With Nation-Leading Legislation
Albany, NY — The New York State Legislature has passed the Birds and Bees Protection Act (A.7640/S.1856A), a first-in-the-nation bill that would rein in the use of neurotoxic neonicotinoid pesticides (“neonics”), which now heads to Governor Hochul’s desk for her signature. The Birds and Bees Protection Act bans the neonic uses that in-depth Cornell University shows provide no economic benefits to users or are replaceable with safer, effective alternatives — specifically neonic coatings on corn, soybean, and wheat seeds and lawn and garden uses (with an exception for invasive species treatments). This eliminates 80%–90% of the neonics entering New York’s environment yearly.
To Bee or Not To Bee? That is the Question.
New York Assembly Votes Yes and We Are One Step Closer to Banning Unnecessary Uses of Toxic Neonic Pesticides
Advocates Created a BUZZ in Albany and Neonics will feel the Sting
For immediate release: April 27, 2022
Albany, NY – This week, advocates from across the state came together in Albany to build support for the Birds and Bees Protection Act, which was just passed by the NYS Assembly. This law would ban the use of neonicotinoid (neonic) treated corn, soybean, and wheat seeds, as well as ornamental uses such as on lawns, gardens, and golf courses. A diverse coalition, made up of environmental organizations, health care professionals, and organic farmers worked for several years to advance the bill.
“The birds are chirping and the bees are buzzing with praise for our Assembly members taking action to address toxic neonic pesticides.” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “Neonics not only threaten our pollinators, but also contaminate our entire environment. From Long Island to the Great Lakes, neonics are contaminating our water resources and are often found at high levels. By eliminating the high-risk/low benefit uses of this pesticide, we can protect our pollinators, water quality, health, and environment. CCE applauds Assemblyman Steve Englebright for sponsoring and championing this bill and the NYS Assembly for passing the Birds and Bees Protection Act. We look forward to continuing our work with the Senate bill sponsor and champion, Senator Hoylman, in moving this bill through the Senate”.
Neonicotinoids (A.K.A. “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 also threaten New York’s water resources, food security, and public health.
The harmful overuse of neonics has devastated pollinator populations across the globe and in New York. These pollinator losses have been attributed to the sudden spike in use of neonics, mainly from treated 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.
The Birds and Bees Protection Act (S.699C/A.7429A) would ban these low benefit/high risk uses of neonics in NY. 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 from this toxic pesticide.
