We're a bit late on posting this one, as the bill was heard in committee on Tuesday, but believe our readers appreciate pollinator news. From Session Daily:
Control over pesticide bans could be returned to local governments
Minnesota cities could prevent residents and businesses from using certain pesticides, a move environmental advocates say could help protect pollinators.
Sponsored by Rep. Samantha Vang (DFL-Brooklyn Center), HF718 would allow cities to pass ordinances banning pesticides that are lethal to bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
State law has preempted cities from enacting such bans for over 30 years.
Cities couldn't ban pet care and indoor pest-control products or products used to mitigate lice and bedbugs.
The bill on Tuesday was approved as amended by the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee by a 17-2 vote and sent to the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee. It has no Senate companion.
Pesticides used to kill weeds and keep insects and other animals away from crops and plants can be toxic to pollinators and can contaminate water and other natural resources.
In Minnesota, 50 cities have passed resolutions pledging to remove pesticides that kill pollinators, according to the Pollinator Friendly Alliance. Advocates say cities should have the choice to enact such bans.
Vang's bill would require the Department of Agriculture to maintain a list of pollinator-lethal pesticides on its website. The department estimates that creating and maintaining the list could cost over $250,000 through June 2025, because more than 3,600 chemicals would need to be reviewed.
Assistant Commissioner Whitney Place said potentially banned chemicals can be needed to control wasps and invasive species like emerald ash borer.
Opponents of the bill, including a trade group for Minnesota pest-control companies, say pesticides are adequately regulated by the state and federal government.
Here's the Minnesota House Information Services YouTube of the committee's discussion of the bill:
Photo: A bumble bee, via the Pollinator Friendly Alliance website.
If you appreciate Bluestem Prairie, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 600 Maple Street, Summit SD 57266) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post. Those wishing to make a small ongoing monthly contribution should click on the paypal subscription button.
Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email [email protected] as recipient.
Comments