Legislation to Restrict Neonicotinoid Use Proposed

Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., introduced The Save American Pollinators Act at a small nursery in Northeast Portland.

The legislation would suspend specific uses of certain neonicotinoids, suspected of being toxic to bees, until the Environmental Protection Agency finishes a review of the chemicals. Most neonicotinoids are slated for review by 2018. The European Union voted in April to suspend three kinds of neonicotinoids for two years, but this act goes a step further, restricting the use of a fourth kind, dinotefuran, as well.

Bumblebees started dying on June 15, after 55 European linden trees were sprayed with the pesticide Safari in Wilsonville. Upon finding the neonicotinoid dinotefuran responsible for the die-off, the state Department of Agriculture issued a temporary restriction on 18 insecticides with the same active ingredient, pending the completion of its investigation into the landscaping company that sprayed the pesticide.

Additional source: http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2013/07/legislation_to_restrict_pestic.html