Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton issued an executive order limiting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides to a demonstrated need by farmers to prevent economic losses to their crops, says Minnesota Public Radio. The pesticides are believed to be a factor in steep declines in bee populations, along with parasites, disease, poor nutrition and bad weather.
State Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson said, “Some of these are bold recommendations that have not been considered by any other state across the nation.” Besides the requirement to demonstrate a need for the chemicals, Dayton called for increased inspection and enforcement to make sure that the neonics are used according to label restrictions intended to protect bees. The executive order applies to commercial use and not to residential use.
Frederickson said he will ask the legislature for authority to regulate seeds coated with neonics as a safeguard against soil-dwelling insects. The coatings are widely used. The EPA does not regulate neonic-treated seed, says MPR. Critics say neonic dust from the treated seeds drifts from fields onto flowering plants where bees feed.
Environmental groups cheered Dayton’s action and farm groups said the restrictions would hamper crop production.