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Daily News Blog

05
Mar

Community Passes Resolution Banning Neonicotinoids

(Beyond Pesticides, March 5, 2014) The City of Eugene, Oregon became the first community in the nation to specifically ban from city property the use of  neonicotinoid pesticides, which have scientifically linked to the decline of honey bee colonies.  The passage of the resolution came just one week after the Oregon state legislature passed a pollinator protection  bill that removed language requiring the restriction of neonicotinoid pesticides, and includes instead a weaker requirement to set up a task force that will examine the possibility of future restrictions. In addition to neonicotinoid restrictions, the City’s resolution also expands Eugene’s pesticide-free parks program and now requires all departments to adopt integrated pest management (IPM) standards.

The Eugene City Council action was taken unanimously on February 26 with the passage of  Council Resolution,   “Enhancing Current Integrated Pest Management in Parks,”  Resolution 5101. The resolution also includes clear goals on children’s health,  expands the current Parks and Open Space Division’s  Pesticide-Free Parks program from 10 to potentially 40 parks, and requires IPM on all city property.

The resolution notes that “children and infants may be especially sensitive to health risks posed by pesticides for several reasons: (a) their internal organs are still developing and maturing; (b) in relation to their body weight, infants and children eat and drink more than adults, possibly increasing their exposure to pesticides in food and water; and (c) certain behaviors, such as playing on floors or lawns or putting objects in their mouths, increase a child’s exposure to pesticides used in homes and yards.” On neonicotinoids, the resolution refers to recent research suggesting a possible link between pesticides that contain neonicotinoids and the die-off of plant pollinators, including honey bees, native bees, butterflies, moths, and other insects.

In 2003, the City of Eugene adopted and implemented an ”˜environmental policy’ cementing the City’s commitment to protecting, preserving, and restoring the natural environment. To that end, the City’s decision-making is to be guided by the goals of increasing environmental benefits and reducing or eliminating negative environmental impacts in all aspects of the City’s activities, while maintaining the City’s fiscal integrity and the community’s economic vitality.   Soon after in 2006, the City initiated a Pesticide-Free Parks Program to maintain City parks without the use of registered pesticides unless there is a threat to public health or safety. Currently, there are nine parks in the Pesticide-Free Parks Program, which include Awbrey Park, Berkeley Park, Brewer Park, Friendly Park, Gilbert Park, Rosetta Park, Scobert Gardens Park, Shadow Wood Park, and Washington Park.

One week before the new resolution was passed in Eugene, the Oregon Legislature passed a new law, HB 4139, requiring anyone applying for a pesticide license to take a course on pollinators and pesticides and pass the exam. HB 4139 also requires the Governor to establish a Task Force directed to continue the research on bee health and pesticides for legislative action in 2015. While the legislation fell short of the original bill that would have restricted the neonicotinoids; dinotefuran, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam, many advocates in Oregon see this as a step forward for bee protection considering the lack of action by the EPA and other states.

Several bee-kill incidents occurred in Oregon last summer, including one that killed more than 50,000 bumblebees after a licensed pesticide applicator sprayed blooming linden trees,  a violation of  the pesticide  label. After a preliminary investigation, the Oregon Department of Agriculture confirmed that the massive bee die-off was caused by the use of the neonicotinoid insecticide,  dinotefuran. But the incident only resulted in a small fine of under $3,000, just 6 cents per bee, infuriating beekeepers, environmentalists, and advocates, but spurring legislative action.

Like Eugene, there are other states and communities that have been trying to pass local policies relating specifically to neonicotinoids, bees and other pollinators. In California, beekeepers and local advocates are supporting a bill that would force the state of California to complete its evaluation of neonicotinoid pesticides, years ahead of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) review which is not scheduled to be completed before 2018. In Maryland, a bill containing language to restrict neonicotinoid pesticides was unfortunately recently withdrawn, after an “unfavorable report” by the environmental committee. In New York and New Jersey language has been drafted in the state legislature to restrict neonicotinoids in various ways.

Meanwhile in Congress, The Saving America’s Pollinator Act, H.R 2692, introduced by Reps. John Conyers (D-MI) and Earl Blumenauer (D- OR), is gaining bipartisan support in the House. The bill seeks to suspend the use of neonicotinoid pesticides until a full review of scientific evidence and a field study demonstrates no harmful impacts to pollinators. The bill has been endorsed by several environmental groups, including Beyond Pesticides, Center for Food Safety, Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice and others.

Join us in Portland, Oregon to hear Rep. Jeff Reardon (D-Portland), who introduced HB 4139, the Save Oregon Pollinators Act, discuss the future of legislative efforts in the state surrounding pollinators, at Beyond Pesticides’ 32nd National Pesticide Forum, Advancing Sustainable Communities: People, pollinators and practices, April 11-12, 2013, Portland State University, Portland, OR. This years’ forum will focus on solutions to the decline of pollinators and other beneficials; strengthening the organic food production system; regulating and right-to-know genetically engineered food; improving farmworker protection and agricultural justice; and creating healthy buildings, schools and homes.

Source: Beyond Toxics

All unattributed positions and opinions in this piece are those of Beyond Pesticides.

 

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14 Responses to “Community Passes Resolution Banning Neonicotinoids”

  1. 1
    Alecia Folsom Says:

    Save the bees!!!

  2. 2
    tina Says:

    Thank you thank you thank you
    the surviving 90K bees in my hives thank you as well!! THey are a buzz about moving up to Oregon….

  3. 3
    Audrey Moore Says:

    We find it sad that this is seen as a victory,knowing but a hint as to the volume of toxic chemicals Oregon sprays year after years.
    While this legislation somewhat addresses 4 poisons, in the future, Oregon continues to spray thousands upon thousands of toxic chemicals, such as Atrazine, 2,4-D and Glyphsate to name but a few, via helicopters throughout the state, by both the timber industry and agriculture. This state sprays everywhere, from our highways, to our roads our neighborhoods, and our communities.
    It is our view that until we ban the millions of pounds of poisons sprayed throughout the state each and every year, our bees won’t have a future, nor will we.
    This in fact is what the Freedom from Pesticides Bill of Rights is hoping to do, come November. Putting forth an initiative that allows the voters of Josephine County the right to decide, and the opportunity to say NO to these pesticide practices.
    That is what it will take to save our bees, along with our air, water, soil and bodies.

  4. 4
    Larry Bridges Says:

    I hope people wake up and do this all over.. Correct me if I am wrong but if the Trans-Pacific Partnership goes into effect, would these laws be over ruled?? God, I hope not.

  5. 5
    Brandy Everett Says:

    You guys are awesome! How does Medford get involved in saving the bees?! We are ready!

  6. 6
    Henrietta Laundreaux Says:

    Please save the honey bee and ban this pesticide that is Killing the bees .

  7. 7
    Robert Owens Says:

    Roundup being banned finally it seems http://dailynation.lk/glyphosate-herbicide-linked-ckdu-finally-banned/

  8. 8
    Amanda Burton Says:

    Yes,Please save the honey bee and our selves ban these pesticide that are Killing our beautiful bees.

  9. 9
    Leo Schwanke II Says:

    Please save the honey bee and ban this pesticide that is Killing the bees.

  10. 10
    Kent Skoien Says:

    I read your blog and as a beekeeper,I am very pleased to see that something is being done to eliminate neonicotinoids.i am currently running about 40 hives here in Alberta. Last year was my worst one as I lost 9 hives this winter.Since January ( we have periods of warm weather here during the winter) started to see un normal numbers of dead bees outside my hives. Spring check up showed the 9 dead ones and several others that are weak also.Canola is being sprayed extensively around here, where we have tens of thousands of acres of it.it did not used to be like this.Thanks for letting me sharer this.

    Kent Skoien

  11. 11
    Sondra Sweeney Says:

    Thank you Eugene, Oregon for making a difference for the Bees . . . whom we need to pollinate our plants, and without whom we would be in trouble.

  12. 12
    Michelle Maust Says:

    The Bees Know!

  13. 13
    linda grammer Says:

    our farming family applauds the decision by the city of Eugene to ban all neonicotinoids…well done…we are beekeepers as well as farmers and we support any moves to protect valuable beneficial insects like bees…neonicotinoids, GE crops and other toxins are not safe for bees and other valuable species including humans! go well- well done! from Whangarei, Northland, GE FREE New Zealand!

  14. 14
    Save the Bees! Says:

    This is fantastic news. Is there a “game plan” for the rest of us who wish to have Neonics banned in our cities? Can you share?

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