Senate passes on neonicotinoid legislation
State Rep. John MacDonald (Wolfeboro/Tuftonboro) advanced bipartisan legislation this session focused on the pervasive use of neonicotinoids associated with declining lake quality.
Neonicotinoid pesticides in agriculture and turf — including lawns, golf courses and municipal fields where runoff can reach New Hampshire lakes, streams, wetlands and groundwater is degrading our beloved lakes. The aquatic life that supports fish, birds and clean water is under pressure.
House Bills 1086 and 1431, pertaining to neonicotinoids used in seed treatment and as pesticide, respectively, succeeded in the House, despite the ever present industry lobbyists, according to MacDonald. However, the Senate punted to the Pesticide Control Board, which has rule making authority. The bills died.
Commissioner Shawn Jasper stated in his Weekly Market Bulletin on Jan. 21 that he did not think the proposal to make sale of treated seeds illegal as of Jan. 1, 2029, “is in the best interest of production agriculture,” but wrote that making neonicotinoids a restricted use pesticide “may be the best solution.”
The Six Legged Society’s Tonya Albee submitted a petition in support of the successful House bills. She says Jasper rejected it as “redundant” but refused to reveal any evidence.
A meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 18 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 208, 1 Granite Place, Concord. Albee urges attendance for acceptance of the petition and a public statement of the PCB’s intentions.