Neonicitinoids are a certain class of pesticides that have been found to be unintentionally toxic to bees and other pollinators. The House agriculture omnibus finance bill included a provision to require plants and nursery stock claiming to be pollinator friendly to be free from pesticide treatments including neonicotinoids. The so-called “truth in labeling provision” requires that consumers be informed if the plants have been exposed to pesticides that could harm bees and other pollinators that may come in contact with the plant. An amendment was offered during floor debates to delete the truth in advertising provision.
The House rejected the amendment and the provision stayed in the House bill.
Update: The Senate version of the bill did not contain the “truth in labeling” language and in conference committee the language was removed from the final agriculture omnibus finance bill. Plants treated with pesticides deadly to bees and other pollinators can still be labelled “pollinator friendly” in the state of Minnesota. However, the final bill did recommend the Minnesota Department of Agriculture study pollinator friendly labeling.
What Would Happen?
A “Yes” vote means the “truth in labeling” provision is deleted, and plants treated with pesticides deadly to bees and other pollinators can be labelled “pollinator friendly.”
A “No” vote means pollinator friendly plants must be correctly labeled and consumers are informed if plants have been exposed to pesticides that could harm pollinators.
How The House Voted
A “No” vote means pollinator friendly plants must be correctly labeled and consumers are informed if plants have been exposed to pesticides that could harm pollinators.
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