Neonicotinoid pesticides pose a major threat to bees, which are already in decline. Photo: EcoPhotography
Neonicotinoids, often called neonics, are a noxious, dangerous variety of pesticide wreaking havoc on New England’s ecosystems. When applied to crop seeds, these hazardous chemicals can poison pollinators, sicken and kill birds, and spread through our soil and water.
Also, they often don’t work. Scientists have found that neonics don’t help staples like corn, soy, and wheat. In fact, neonics’ tendency to wipe out pollinators can actually hurt farmers’ crop yields.
CLF is working to shut down the widespread, needless use of this toxic chemical. This legislative session, we’re advocating for two bills in New England to sharply limit the unnecessary use of neonicotinoids. There are enough threats to pollinators and pollution in our soil and water. We don’t have to senselessly and recklessly add more dangers.
Neonics are devastating pollinators
When applied to seeds, neonics permeate the plants, turning nectar, fruit, and pollen toxic to insects. They also pervade the surrounding soil, lingering for years and spreading via rainwater into our waterways. The chemicals are highly concentrated in areas where neonics have been used year after year.
The effect on the environment can be devastating. Neonics wipe out bugs indiscriminately, including vital and imperiled pollinators like butterflies and bees. A 2018 study found at least one neonic pesticide in a third of hives kept by Massachusetts beekeepers, endangering the buzzing inhabitants.
Bees are crucial to the continued survival of plants and crops of all varieties, but they’ve faced a significant decline for years. A 2023 study found that Massachusetts beekeepers lost a third of their hives in one year. Climate change, pollution, and habitat disruption all have an impact. We don’t need to add to the bees’ woes by needlessly poisoning them.
Neonics are toxic to the environment
While neonicotinoids are particularly devastating to pollinators, they poison more than just butterflies and bees. These pesticides are so toxic that eating just one treated seed can kill a songbird. Even the birds that survive often experience rapid weight loss, damaged immune systems, and worsened fertility.
After years of excessive use, neonics are popping up everywhere: on farmland where they’ve never been used, in honeybee pollen, and in more than half of the streams sampled in the United States. While researchers are uncertain about the long-term effects of these chemicals, they know they’re doing harm. Studies have linked exposure to the pesticides to health issues in humans including altered insulin regulation, and even birth defects.
What Can We Do About Neonicotinoids?
CLF is pushing forward bills in Connecticut and Massachusetts to fight the overuse of these toxic pesticides. Both bills ban the use of neonics on corn, soy, and wheat since studies have established that the pesticides don’t benefit farmers. The bills wouldn’t impact neonic use on other crops where the pesticides have shown to offer farmers some economic benefits.
Connecticut’s bill will also ban neonics for non-agricultural purposes. There’s no excuse for sports fields or ornamental landscaping to introduce toxic chemicals into our environment. Golf courses can find ways to keep their greens lush and manicured without poisoning butterflies, bees, and songbirds.
Protecting Farmers While Transitioning off Neonics
Stopping neonics from harming our environment is crucial, but so is protecting farmers from disruption and harm to their businesses. That’s why farmers who currently rely on neonicotinoids for corn, soy, and wheat will get a grace period before the laws come into effect.
These bills also offer potential carve-outs as needed. In both states, farmers can get a waiver if they can prove they have a genuine need for neonics and no better pest management options. They also must show that they can deploy the pesticides without unnecessary harm to the environment.
These bills shouldn’t cause economic hardship to farmers. Similar laws have passed in Quebec and New York without causing major disruption. Quebec has been neonic-free since 2019, and farmers have seen undiminished yields and no increase in prices.
Neonicotinoids are pervasive and do untold harm to our environment. Common-sense limits, like blocking the chemicals’ use on crops they don’t benefit, will go a long way toward curbing the damage. If you sign up for our emails, we’ll send you opportunities to speak up and fight against toxic pesticides in New England.
