[fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][title size=”1″ content_align=”left” style_type=”underline solid” sep_color=”#000000″ margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” class=”” id=””]Farm groups say EPA proposal to protect bees goes farther than necessary[/title][fusion_text]Friday, September 4th 2015
Pesticide restrictions that the Obama administration has proposed to protect bees go further than necessary and will put crops at risk, farm groups say. The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed to bar the application of pesticides that are toxic to bees when crops are in bloom and bees are nearby for contract pollination services. The agency also is working with state and tribal agencies to develop and implement their own pollinator protection plans that include regionally targeted measures. The agency is separately reviewing the impact of a specific group of pesticides, neonicotinoids, on pollinators. In comments filed with EPA, the U.S. Apple Association called the ban on pesticide applications when crops are blooming a “one-size-fits-all” approach that “does not allow growers the flexibility for use of individual, effective product.” Apple growers already work with beekeepers to ensure that their bees are protected, the group said. The American Farm Bureau Federation is calling on the agency to drop the proposals and work with farmers, beekeepers and other stakeholders to propose an alternative. Other groups raising concerns include the National Cotton Council and the American Soybean Association, which said soybean fields are sometimes located next to crops that are being pollinated through contract services. The proposed pesticide restrictions were included in a national strategy that the White House unveiled in May to restore pollinator populations. The public comment period closed Aug. 28. The strategy also includes added research funding and measures to increase and improve pollinator habitat. Beekeepers reported losing about 40 percent of honey bee colonies in 2014. There also is concern about a steep decline in populations of monarch butterflies. The Natural Resources Defense Council says the pesticide restrictions are long overdue but don’t go far enough. The group called on the agency to take a number of additional steps, including starting cancellation proceedings for all neonicotinoid products, beginning with those that can easily be replaced with safer alternatives.
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