EPA released a New Rule for public comment, Bees; Mitigating Exposure from Acutely Toxic Pesticide Products (Docket #: EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0818-0003) late last spring. The deadline for the comment letter was extended three times. The final deadline is this Friday, August 28, 2015.
The New Rule has two parts: Part A. Label Language for Applications to Sites With Bees Present Under Contracted Services, and Part B. State and Tribal Managed Pollinator Protection Plans. (read the text of the Proposed New Rule at our website)
No matter where the bees are they must be protected from all forms of exposure of acutely toxic pesticides. This New Rule does not provide protection of honey bees and native pollinators, where the risk is incurred. The situations in which pollinators are likely to be affected by pesticides (both acutely toxic and those having chronic effects) are not dealt with at all by the proposed rule. State Pollinator Protection Plans, if they are adopted, must not undermine pesticide labels. They need to be adequately funded, have measurable standards, be reviewed in a timely fashion, and recognize the value of bees to all agriculture production. Pollinator protection is a national priority, realized at the state and local levels.
Please submit your comment this week to EPA concerning Bees; Mitigating Exposure from Acutely Toxic Pesticide Products (Docket #: EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0818-0003).
Your comments must be received on or before August 28, 2015.
Send your comment today via this link (http://pollinatorstewardship.org/?p=3578 ).
Thank you for making the beekeeper’s voice heard.
