Hochul Signs Ban on Controversial Pesticide
Substance is considered dangerous to bees
December 27, 2023 | Source: Times Union | by Rick Karlin
ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed a partial ban on neonicotinoids, a powerful and widely-used pesticide that environmentalists say is the most harmful chemical since DDT, but which farmers have long relied upon to control pests.
The Birds and the Bees Protection Act was signed last week after lengthy negotiations led to an eventual ban on the pesticide. The legislation, the culmination of years of debate, includes so-called chapter amendments, which means the state Legislature will tweak the bill in the coming session.
The bill also allows for waivers for events such as uncontrolled pest damage or economic hardships.
According to the legislation, the sale of soy, wheat and corn seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides, or neonics, will be banned starting in 2027.
There will be continued study of the issue, but the seed ban should make for widespread changes.
Environmental organizations hailed the measure, which was sponsored by two Manhattan Democrats, Assemblymember Deborah Glick and Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal.